Great double for Soldier Of Fortune

High-class Flat performer Soldier In Action (4g Soldier Of Fortune-Ripley, by Platini) initiated a superb double for Soldier Of Fortune on Wednesday when taking a Doncaster juvenile hurdle. Trained by Nicky Henderson for Alan Spence, the four-year-old ran out a brilliant 14-length winner under Nico de Boinville. He now heads to the G1 Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham. “Soldier In Action jumped well, a bit high if anything. He will now go for the Triumph and after that he could go back on the Flat,” said Spence. An excellent day for Soldier Of Fortune continued when Joseph O’Brien saddled Early Doors (4g Soldier Of Fortune-Ymlaen, by Desert Prince) to win the competitive bumper at Punchestown by nine lengths. The G1 Champion Bumper at Cheltenham is now a possibility and O’Brien commented: “He surprised me a bit but we liked him a good bit at home. I was a bit worried about the ground as he's out of a Desert Prince mare but he seemed to handle it well. "Paddy (Mullins) was very positive about him when he came in. That’s his first time off the bridle, and he was impressive. I don't know if we will travel over (to Cheltenham). It may not be the right thing when thinking of the bigger picture, and he could have a good chance in the sales race back in April."