Tales Of Milan jumps the last under Johnny King© Photo Healy Racing
After winning the first with Dale Street Dessie Hughes doubled up in the fourth, as his Tales Of Milan (first-time visor) took the Munster National 13th October Handicap Hurdle for qualified riders.
Ridden by Johnny King, the six-year-old son of Milan was the subject of a big gamble. He was 10/1 this morning with Paddy Power, opening on-course at 6s before being heavily backed into 7/2 favouritism at the off.
Without a win in thirteen career starts, the bay gelding had performed well on his last few starts, finishing second at Leopardstown in March, before finishing fourth on his last two outings at Tramore and Bellewstown.
Prominent throughout this evening, he hit the front before the home straight and he kept on strongly to score by an easy sixteen lengths.
Kildunne travelled smoothly entering before the straight but he couldn’t match the winner and he had to settle for second under Ciaran Fennessy for Mick Winters at 9/1. Sherco Sports (10/1) kept on to take third, seven lengths back under Johnny Burke for Michael Hourigan while Lets Go Sunshine (7/1) was a neck away in fourth under Barry O’Neill for Colin Bowe.
Dessie Hughes said afterwards: "It was a long time coming with him and the visor helped. At Bellewstown the last day he dropped back passing the stands and we were disappointed with him.
"That race has turned out better than what we thought on the day. He is handicapped over fences and he will go for a chase next."
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
