Son Of Soldier Of Fortune Scores On Hurdle Bow

Blue Hop (6g Soldier Of Fortune - Afaraka, by Flemensfirth) made a smart start for trainer Ben Brookhouse when winning Monday’s maiden hurdle at Ayr.

The Roger Brookhouse-owned bay won a bumper on debut last season and was well-supported as he stepped up to two and a half miles on his hurdle bow. Racing prominently under Jack Quinlan, he was asked to challenge two from home and was ridden to dispute at the final flight. Leading on the run-in, he was pushed out to beat the favourite by three parts of a length.

Bred by Paddy Kennedy, Blue Hop was bought by Shaun Brookhouse for £80,000 at the store sales. The son of Soldier Of Fortune is out of a Flemensfirth half-sister to dual Grade 2 winner Younevercall (Yeats).