Mountainous puts in epic performance to win Welsh National for Milan

Milan’s son Mountainous (8g Milan-Mullaghcloga, by Glacial Storm) showed brilliant battling qualities when fighting through testing underfoot conditions at Chepstow on Saturday to claim the G3 Welsh Grand National. Trainer Richard Lee had long aimed the eight-year-old at Wales’s most-famous jumping contest and the plan came to fruition as his charge, bred by Lady Melissa Brooke, held off Hawkes Point to scored by a head. Flemensfirth’s son Tidal Bay (12g Flemensfirth-June´s Bride, by Le Moss) ran an outstanding race to finish third under top-weight while another Milan eight-year-old, One In Milan (8g Milan-Kitty Star, by Montelimar), came fourth. "I couldn't believe how well he was going. Paul gave him an intelligent ride and got a breather into him. Mountainous has always been a nice horse. From the moment he came into our yard as a five-year-old, I said he was a Welsh National horse. I love these staying chasers. “It’s great for (Welsh-based owners) James and Jean Potter and Dai Walters who have been longstanding supporters of the yard.” Moloney added: "Fair play to the trainer, he knows how to get one ready. It was great to get the ride and thanks to my agent for getting it for me.”