Bumper Winner Kicks Off Double For Soldier Of Fortune

Barlovento (5g Soldier Of Fortune – Playhara, by King’s Theatre) completed the first leg of a double for his sire at Southwell on Monday when taking the bumper under Sean Bowen.

A promising third on debut, Olly Murphy’s was sent off second favourite for the two mile contest and raced in touch with the leaders for much of the way. Travelling well with three furlongs left to race, he soon led and was ridden clear from two furlongs out. He kept on well inside the final furlong to deny a late challenge by half a length.

“Barlovento was in front for a long time and got lonely,” Murphy said after the race. “We've always liked him and he's got a bright future. He's for sale and will hopefully be in different colours next time he's on a racecourse.”

A €72,000 store sale buy, Barlovento was bred by E O’Connor and K Harding.

The following race, a novices’ hurdle run over two and a half miles, saw Fortunate Man (5g Soldier Of Fortune – Lady Azamour, by Azamour) gain his third win from five career starts.

The Soldier Of Fortune gelding was bought by Jonjo O’Neill for €210,000 after his successful debut in a four-year-old maiden for Michael Goff and went on to impress in a maiden hurdle at Newbury in December. Reunited with Jonjo O’Neill Junior on Monday, the bay moved into second on the turn for home and was pushed along from two out. Keeping on well approaching the final flight, he led on the run-in and went on to beat the favourite by half a length.

The JP McManus-owned winner was bred by Edmond and Mark Coleman out of a half-sister to black-type hurdler Canal End (Walk In The Park).