Son Of Milan Battles Bravely For Grade 1 Glory

If The Cap Fits (7g Milan - Derravaragh Sayra, by Sayarshan) rallied bravely to land the Grade 1 Stayers Hurdle on the final day of the Aintree Grand National Festival.

The three mile test marked a significant step up in trip for the Harry Fry-trained bay, with his greatest test of stamina having come in November when winning the Grade 2 Coral Hurdle over just short of two and a half miles. Now ridden by Sean Bowen, he was ridden towards the back of 15 horse field and began to creep forward from after halfway. Switched right approaching the final flight, he recovered from a mistake to race between Roksana and Apple’s Jade in the final strides and prevailed by a head on the line.

Owned by Paul and Clare Rooney, If The Cap Fits had enough pace to win both his bumpers and finished fourth in the Grade 2 Aintree bumper two years ago. Breeder Liam Gilsenan followed a proven formula in producing the Grade 1 winner, with his dam being a half-sister to dual Listed winner Duke Of Lucca (Milan), who also enjoyed success at the Aintree Grand National meeting.