Marching To Victory

Wed 24 Apr 2024

WINNER 25 OF 2024: URBAN SOLDIER, trained by Harry Derham and ridden by Paul O'Brien: The 'Get Emma's Offers At PlanetSportBet Handicap Hurdle' over 3m 1/2f at Southwell.

With Sky Sports Racing presenter Luke Harvey picking Urban Soldier out in the parade ring and even interviewing Harry, our nerves were jangling, as he was a 16/1 shot. But he certainly stood out from the field in the paddock with his size and scope there's no doubt!

At the off, Paul had him switched off towards the rear and jumping the brush hurdles well. Having said that he wasn't fluent at the 6th, but made good headway finding gaps through the field, coming to the 2nd last. Still on the bridle, Paul asked him to quicken and he took the lead approaching the last, jumping that well and pricking his ears, he pulled away in the run in to win comfortably from the favourite, 6 lengths back in 2nd.

"Urban Soldier has this in the bag and completes a double for Harry Derham" Watch the full race replay here: https://www.attheraces.com/racecard/Southwell/23-April-2024/1750

Here he is returning to the winners enclosure to be met by a happy Harry and his owners!

Timeform rated it as a career best 106 performance, saying: "Hails from a stable going well and, back under less testing conditions, took a sizeable step forward as he got off the mark in clear-cut style in first-time cheekpieces after 11 weeks off; mid-field, travelled well, mistake sixth, headway home turn, shaken up after usual 2 out, led before last, went clear run-in; still unexposed for current yard and has the physique for chasing when the time comes."

Syndicate manager Tom says: "He put it all together and I was delighted to see him win! It never really looked in doubt, as he travelled strongly and was eye catching in the last mile. Many congratulations to his loyal owners and well done to Harry and his team for their work with him. He enjoys the better ground so we will kick on this spring."