Black Type Soldier Of Fortune Mare Gains Maiden Hurdle Win

Listed winner Belle Metal (5m Soldier Of Fortune - Elphis Supreme, by Westerner) led home a 1-2 for Coolmore NH sires in the Mares Maiden Hurdle at Navan on Saturday.

Sent off joint-favourite under Paul Townend, Willie Mullins’s charge chased the leader for much of the two mile contest and was asked to quicken from two out. Running on well, she led close home to deny stablemate Take Tea (Flemensfirth) by a length and a half.

Belle Metal was bought by Kenneth Alexander after an impressive debut in a bumper and followed up with a similarly stylish success at Listed level. The daughter of Soldier Of Fortune was bred by John Connolly and provides an important update for her yearling brother from the first crop of Capri.