Leadership Shows Way in Gran Premio di Milan

A pair of British-trained runners dominated Sunday's Gran Premio di Milan (Italy-I) at San Siro as Godolphin's Leadership upset Clive Brittain's Warrsan.

Leadership, a son of Selkirk with Richard Hills in the irons for trainer Saeed bin Suroor, went to the lead after a furlong and held the advantage into the final straight when the 4-year-old colt kicked on to win comfortably by 1 3/4 length.

Italy's Maktub was a distant third, nearly 11 lengths behind the winner. The final time for the 1 1/2-mile test on firm going was 2:28.3.

Warrsan, a strong favorite in the six-horse field who was ridden by Philip Robinson, was never able to get on even terms with the winner.

Hills completed a group-race double at the Milan track following an earlier win on the Sheikh Mohammed-owned filly Aynthia in the Premio Maria Incisa (Italy-III).

The Henri-Alex Pantall-trained Aynthia looked to be heading for an easy victory after taking command early.

However, John Dunlop's Discreet Brief, ridden by Robinson, finished strongly once she had found her stride and lost by only a head in it at the line.

The pair was three lengths clear of Vale Mantovani.

Aynthia is a 3-year-old daughter of Zafonic bred in the U.S. by Darley Stud Management.

Mark Wallace's Clifden, ridden by John Egan, galloped out an easy winner of the Premio Primi Passi (Italy-III) earlier.

The Ayr winner drew clear by four lengths under little urging to defeat Italy's top juvenile Golden Pivotal.