Impressive Maiden Hurdle Success For Soldier Of Fortune

Pricey point-to-point purchase City Chief (5g Soldier Of Fortune - Galant Ferns, by Bob Back) relished a step back up in trip in Saturday’s maiden hurdle at Hereford.

Sent off favourite as he stepped up to three miles and two furlongs, the bay made all under Jonjo O’Neill Junior and looked the likely winner from two out. Shaken up to go clear from the final flight, he won by five and a half lengths with ease.

Denis Murphy’s debut winner was sold to Highflyer Bloodstock for £210,000 and went on to finish a fine second on his first two starts for Nicky Henderson and Mrs J Donnelly. The son of Beeches Stud sire Soldier Of Fortune was bred by Liam Kenny.