Milsean was made work hard before justifying odds of 2/11 when winning the opening I.N.H. Stallion Owners European Breeders Fund Maiden Hurdle at Navan today, for trainer Willie Mullins, jockey Bryan Cooper and owners Gigginstown House Stud.

The son of Milan was well backed from 1/3 this morning into his very short starting price but in the end needed plenty encouragement from Cooper to record a length and a half win over Snow Falcon

Mullins wasn't yet present at the venue but Cooper later stated “he's a big baby and it wasnt ideal making the running but I kept it simple.

“The ground is soft, he's a big heavy horse and handles heavy ground. I'd say the more they race on it today the more it will open up.”

Paddy Power left Milsean unchanged at 14/1 for the Albert Bartlett Hurdle while Boylesports introduced him at 16s for the same Cheltenham race.

By Thomas Weekes, quotes from Alan Magee