THE Irish-bred Ventura Storm survived a stewards’ inquiry to give owners Middleham Park Racing a first Group 1 success of the season and third in all as he lifted the Premio Jockey Club at San Siro in Milan on Sunday.

Just touched off in the St Leger at Doncaster on his previous start, the Richard Hannon-trained colt held local hope Full Drago by a neck under Cristian Demuro, as the pair pulled clear of Andrew Balding’s Elbereth in third.

Sir Michael Stoute’s Arab Spring was fourth and the Marco Botti-trained Dylan Mouth last of the seven runners.

“We were caught a bit flat-footed when the local horse went on. We managed to get to him with a furlong to go, but as our horse went by the two of them came together,” said Middleham’s Tim Palin.

“You worry when it’s that close, but it was a superb performance and a great ride by the jockey. He made a difference in the finish. We’re thrilled to win our third Group 1 - we won one with Toormore in 2013 (National Stakes at the Curragh), one with G Force in 2014 and we missed out last year, so we were desperate to have one this year.

That was probably Ventura Storm’s last race of the season.

Palin added: “He’s had a long, hard season. I think we’ll put him away for the season and probably start 2017 off with the Coronation Cup as his first serious target. He might have a run or two along the way.”

Bred by Laurence Kennedy, Ventura Storm is out of Sarawati, a daughter of Haafhd. Peter and Ross Doyle bought him from Willie Browne’s Mocklershill consignment at the Craven Breeze-Up Sale in 2015 for 110,000gns.