Soldier Of Fortune Gelding Storms Clear In Bumper

Ballygunner Castle (5g Soldier Of Fortune – Hear The Thunder, by Presenting) built on a promising debut to run out a clear winner of Friday’s bumper at Limerick.

The Willie Mullins-trained bay finished third on debut in February and enjoyed a boost in form when the runner-up subsequently finished fifth in the Grade 1 Champion Bumper at Cheltenham. He was sent off second favourite as he stepped up to two miles and three furlongs and was ridden in touch with the leaders by Jody Townend. Challenging before the two furlong marker, he led approaching they final furlong and stayed on well to beat the favourite by nine lengths.

Owned by JR Brennan and David Flynn, Ballygunner Castle was bred by Patrick Keating. The Soldier Of Fortune gelding becomes the first winner out of his dam Hear The Thunder.