Soldier Of Fortune Mare Stays On Best In Novice Hurdle

Baby Shally (5m Soldier Of Fortune - La Shalak, by Shalford) reeled in the favourite to make a winning hurdle bow at Wincanton on Tuesday.

The Soldier Of Fortune mare joined the Anthony Honeyball yard from Sam Curling, for whom she won her sole start between the flags. She was partnered by Sam Twiston-Davies in the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle and raced prominently throughout the two mile and five furlong contest. Pushed along upon turning for home, she was ridden from the second last and stayed on strongly from the final flight. Driven out, she led close home to beat previous hurdler winner Don’t Rightly Know by a neck. The pair finished nine and a half lengths clear of the third.

Owned by Eric Jones, Baby Shally is a full-sister to point-to-point and bumper winner Victory Club (Soldier Of Fortune). The pair were bred by Ger and Yvonne Kennedy.