Exciting Soldier Of Fortune Gelding Stays Perfect Over Hurdles

Royal Infantry (5g Soldier Of Fortune – Sovereign Lass, by Presenting) was halved in price for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle after running out an impressive winner of Wednesday’s Introductory Hurdle at Haydock.

The winner of a Listed bumper last season, Dan Skelton’s charge made a winning hurdle bow last month and was sent off favourite to follow up in the Class 2 contest. He made all under Harry Skelton and quickened into a clear advantage with three flights left to jump. His rivals did their best to narrow the gap, but Royal Infantry went on to score by eight and a half lengths, with another seven lengths back to the third.

Craig Buckingham, who owns the winner with his wife Laura, said: “It was a very impressive performance and we think a lot of him. I didn’t think he’d get beat today – we have a lot of confidence in him and he has a lot of class.”

Bred by Kevin Neville, the Soldier Of Fortune gelding was purchased by current connections following his point-to-point win for Francesca Poste.