Milan supreme in St Leger

Milan was the first Irish winner since 1972

Irish raider Milan produced an incredible burst of speed to win the Rothmans Royals St Leger and provide yet another big-race success for trainer Aidan O'Brien.

Mick Kinane, riding for the first time in the Doncaster classic, brought the 13-8 favourite home five lengths clear of Demophilos with Mr Combustible third.

Kinane looked to be stuck on the rail two furlongs from home but the race was over in a matter of seconds once Milan got clear.

Demophilos had a clear advantage approaching the furlong post only to see Milan cut down the deficit and sweep clear.

Pulled up

It was O'Brien's 15th Group One success of the season and his third British classic in 2001 following victories in the Derby and the Oaks.

Ireland had not won the St Leger since Boucher took the honours in 1972.

But O'Brien's joy was tempered by a serious injury to Milan's stable-mate Mediterranean who was pulled up with a ruptured tendon.

Inishowen (yellow and white cap) left it late

Earlier trainer Barry Hills, who had been hoping for big things from Mr Combustible, made the perfect start to the day wth Inishowen springing a 20-1 surprise in the GNER Conditions Stakes.

Success came as a slight surprise to Hills, who said: "This horse has been wrong and backward all year and hasn't done a lot of work."

There was also a second winner of the meeting for Henry Cecil when High Pitched grabbed the honours in the Tome Valley Handicap.

The 9-1 chance met trouble in running but Richard Quinn found a way through to collar Ahraar and Sporting Gesture by a neck.

Michael Hills took the Porcelanosa Rated Stakes on 7-2 favourite Calcutta while brother Richard landed the Group Two Polypipe Flying Chiders Stakes on Saddad at 4-1.