Soldier strikes for Callaghan Royal Soldier found another gear on the run-in to record a decisive victory in the BoyleSports Handicap Hurdle at Gowran Park. Gillian Callaghan’s charge was making his handicap debut in the two-miler and went to post an 11/1 shot. Donagh Meyler produced the Soldier Of Fortune gelding to dispute going to the final flight along with Galavanting George and both made mistakes at the hurdle. Royal Soldier picked up well on the run-in, however, and went on to post a five-and-a-half length victory. Callaghan was saddling her first winner since June 2024 and said afterwards:- “He has progressed with every run and ran nicely at Fairyhouse the last day,” said Callaghan. “With natural progression he has grown up and he is one for the future. Hopefully he will eventually go chasing and be a nice horse. "We'll see how he comes out of this and see where he goes from here." (Quotes by Tom Weekes)
