NATHAN HUNT gave Valley a huge thumbs-up after his Anglesey Milo helped the Monmore trainer enjoy something of a homecoming when winning the SIS British Bred Standard Final over 460m.

The £3,000-to-the-winner British-bred showpiece was a rare Category Two competition at the Welsh venue and will be followed by the upcoming Welsh Derby – and that is where Anglesey Milo is heading after success for the May 2024 son of Ballyhimikin Jet and Anglesey My Girl in the 460m decider at the weekend.

Lining up the 6-4 favourite for the final of the two-round event, in which Romeo Victor (Steven Howard) was his main rival, a faster start from Anglesey Milo saw Hunt’s runner, one of two finalists for the Cambridgeshire-based handler, soon dominate matters and race into a lead which he never really looked likely to relinquish.

Keeping up the gallop throughout, the Mike Jones-owned and bred Anglesey Milo crossed the line a length and a quarter in front of the always-second and keeping-on Romeo Victor in 28.13sec (normal), the fastest time in the event.

The victory delighted winning trainer Hunt who said: “I’m delighted for Milo, who deserved it because he’s such a game dog and regular winner for the kennel. He’s won races for us at Monmore, Towcester and Valley, and has run some good races at Dunstall, too. But I’m just as delighted for his owner Mike.

“He bred and reared Milo at his home in Anglesey, so you could say it was a home victory. And even for myself, Valley holds really special memories. It was the track which got me into racing when it was an independent so it was nice to go back and see a few of the old faces – and I thought track conditions were excellent.

“Milo will have a short rest and then he’ll head back for the Welsh Derby – and hopefully I’ll take a few others with him.”