Fortunedefortunata made a winning start for Gordon Elliott and gave the trainer a double on the card at Galway this afternoon.

With the hurdles down the back taken out due to the low lying sun they only jumped five flights in the two-mile handicap hurdle.

Denis O'Regan produced his mount to lead between horses turning for home and despite getting under the last the 5/1 shot soon asserted for a six-and-a-half length win over Blanketontheground

The Soldier Of Fortune gelding had won on his debut at Ludlow last February and was having just his third career outing.

The winning rider said afterwards:- "I did my AC joint (shoulder) in a fall at Navan and missed six weeks so it was nice to be back and it is great to get one for Gordon.

“I returned at Clonmel on Thursday and rode here yesterday and had a good eye-opener today with a lot of rides.

"The horse travelled well and the five hurdles we jumped, he jumped well and seemed to do it nicely. Hopefully he will keep progressing."

(Quotes by Tom Weekes)