Talented Acey Milan Wins Chase Debut At Aintree

The talented Acey Milan (6g Milan - Strong Wishes, by Strong Gale) appears to have a bright future over fences, after Anthony Honeyball’s charge made a winning return in Sunday’s Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase at Aintree.

Successful in two Listed bumpers, the son of Milan was Graded-placed over hurdles last season and stepped up to three miles and one furlong for his chase debut. Rex Dingle rode the bay towards the back of the field and began to make smooth headway in the final circuit, improving into second with two fences left to jump. Ridden to lead approaching the last, he stayed on well on the run-in to deny Smackwater Jack (Flemensfirth) by a length and a half.

A step up in class may now be on the cards for Acey Milan, with the winning trainer later saying, “Acey Milan schooled well at home and took to the fences straight away. We'll look at a good novice chase now - possibly the Grade 2 over three miles at Newbury in a few weeks' time.”

Bred by Mrs M O’Driscoll, Acey Milan is a full-brother to useful hurdler Lord Wishes (Milan), while brothers William’s Wishes (Oscar) and Beggar’s Wishes (Oscar) developed into a smart chasers.