Murphy strikes again at Kilbeggan as Soldante scores Kilbeggan’s Kilsaran Handicap Steeplechase over two and half miles looked a competitive contest beforehand and it was Soldante (11/2) who came out on top to provide Kinnegad rider Kevin Healy with a first success at his local track. Owned by breeder Pat McCormack along with David P McCormack and Saarh Glynn, the Soldier Of Fortune gelding made steady headway from three out and led jumping the last to beat Butter Fingers by a length and three-quarters. “He’s a cracking horse. We’ve loved him from day one, he’s had issues but Pat (McCormack) has been fantastic and just let us do our thing,” said winning trainer CiaranMurphy. “With the help of Aaron now, we have a cracking team. It took a while to get this lad bac,k but this year we’ve been so happy with him. “We made a plan after Galway. Pat had never had a winner here, so we said we’d come here and have one go. It’s been a dream for him.” Murphy has had a terrific year at Kilbeggan (six winners) and he added “What an amazing year, it’s been absolutely fantastic and we couldn’t be happier. “He’s a horse that could maybe travel, do something Moudan (half-brother) did, in the autumn time. He could maybe go somewhere like Ayr. “He loves soft ground. He’ll have a freshen now. He’ll be a horse that we keep going for the winter, he’s not just a summer horse. “There is no question there is another one in him, and there is another one in him over hurdles as well.” Additional reporting by Gary Carson
