Santini wins Aintree G1 for Milan

Richard and Lizzie Kelvin-Hughes’s home-bred Santini (6g Milan-Tinagoodnight, by Sleeping Car) dug deep to come out best in a great finish to the G1 Sefton Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree on Friday.

The six-year-old Milan gelding has now won three of his four starts over hurdles and trainer Nicky Henderson feels he’ll come into his own over fences next season.

“He was enjoying himself out there. He’s a brave horse - a lovely big baby of a horse, and a chaser for next year,” said Henderson. “Richard was keen to come here and the horse has been really fresh and well at home. Bless him, he’s only a big baby but it was a great performance.

“He’s home-bred by Richard and Lizzie and I trained the dam, Tinagooodnight, as well. It’s the first Grade 1 out of all the home-breds they have have, which is lovely. He’s a gorgeous horse.”