Son Of Soldier Of Fortune Raises Galway Plate

Early Doors (7g Soldier Of Fortune - Ymlaen, by Desert Prince) produced a late challenge to land Wednesday’s Galway Plate worth €200,000.

The Joseph O’Brien-trained bay was accomplished over hurdles, placing at Grade 1 level and carrying top weight to success in the Martin Pipe Hurdle at Cheltenham, but was yet to win over fences when lining up for Tuesday’s Grade A contest. Mark Walsh rode him to chase the leaders, pushing his mount along from the final fence and kept on well to lead close home. The winning margin was three parts of a length, as the favourite Royal Rendezvous stayed on for second.

Early Doors’ defeat of hardened rivals suggests there is plenty more to come from the JP McManus-owned chaser, who was bred by Derek Clee. He is by Beeches Stud sire Soldier Of Fortune, who has covered bumper books since transferring from France. Soldier Of Fortune’s first Irish crop are now three-year-olds.