Soldier Of Fortune Mare Takes Listed Feature

Sunday saw Liberty Dance (5m Soldier Of Fortune - Didn’t I Tell You, by Docksider) lead home a 1-2 for Soldier Of Fortune in the Listed Billy Harney Memorial Irish EBF Mares Novice Hurdle at Thurles.

Narrowly denied in a Grade 2 bumper last season, the Gordon Elliott-trained mare won her second start over hurdles in good style earlier this month and was sent off favourite to follow up at Listed level. Tracking the leader under Davy Russell, she led with two to jump and drew clear from the penultimate flight. Ridden out on the run-in, she scored by five and a half lengths from Belle The Lioness (Soldier Of Fortune).

Owned by Tim O’Driscoll, Liberty Dance was bought by Bobby and Aidan O’Ryan at the store sales for €54,000. The daughter of Soldier Of Fortune was bred by Mrs CE Norton.