Soldier of Fortune (left) just pipped Arabian Gulf on the line

Mick Kinane took the three-year-old colt to challenge Arabian Gulf on the home straight at the Roodee.

It looked as if Kerrin McEvoy and Arabian Gulf would hang on but Soldier of Fortune managed to get his nose in front to win by a short head.

The Aidan O'Brien-trained winner, like all four runners in the race, has an entry in next month's Epsom Derby.

He was cut to 10-1 from 14s by bookmaker Victor Chandler, with the runner-up now 20-1 (was 50s).

Soldier of Fortune prevailed in the final strides despite giving Arabian Gulf a 4lb weight concession.

Kinane said: "This horse has done well and he's improving all the time.

"It was a decent performance and he's a horse who would run well in the Derby.

"He's an improving horse. Every day he takes a step forward and when you've a three-year-old like that, you have to respect him."

MBNA Chester Vase
Chester 1m 4�f