tracked leaders, led after 2nd, 6 lengths clear 4 out, hit next, hard driven when pressed approaching last, kept on well under pressure
in touch, headway approaching and mistake 3 out, weakened after next
held up in rear, headway 3 out, kept on into 4th, never on terms
led until after 2nd, chased leaders after, lost place 4 out, behind when pulled up after next
keen in touch, headway 3 out, soon chasing leaders, driven onto 2nd after last, never reached winner
tracked leader, hard driven to challenge 2 out, kept on same pace
Rafiot was far from disgraced when third at Kempton and he is clearly the best of those with hurdling experience but a switch to hurdles could help QUEEN’S SOLDIER compensate for a lack of basic speed. He was consistent on the level and beat Elegant Love more easily at Goodwood in August than Dawn Treader did at Windsor last month. Silkstone is an 80-rated miler on the Flat so should be thereabouts if his stamina holds out and Building Bridges is also interesting as he won for Jessica Harrington on the level.
Building Bridges 16-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden in 4th 2f out, no extra over 1f out, kept on one pace, 6th of 9, 4 3/4l behind Sweet Dime (8-13) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Oct.
Dawn Treader (IRE) 5-1 (8-8) Held up in mid-division, headway on outside 3f out, soon chasing leaders, went 2nd and hung left 2f out, ridden to challenge inside final furlong, stayed on to lead post, won at Windsor 1m 2f stks (6) sft in Oct beating Elegant Love (8-7) by shd, 11 ran.
Moonlit Sea 40-1 (10-12) Raced keenly, held up in rear, struggling when hit 3 out, no danger after, 6th of 8, 33l behind Prefontaine (10-12) at Kempton 2m (3) gd in Oct.
Queen's Soldier (GER) 5-4fav (9-0) Held up in mid-division, headway on outside over 2f out, went 2nd led over 1f out, soon edged right and ridden clear, won at Goodwood 1m 3f stks (3) gd in Aug beating Elegant Love (8-9) by 3 3/4l, 10 ran.
Rafiot (USA) 18-1 (10-12) Tracked winner to before 3rd, close up in 3rd, driven to chase clear winner before 2 out, kept on same pace, ridden and no impression with front pair between last 2, 3rd of 8, 13 1/2l behind Prefontaine (10-12) at Kempton 2m (3) gd in Oct.
Silkstone (IRE) 12-1 (9-1) Held up in mid-division on inside, headway on inside over 2f out, ridden and no impression over 1f out, run flattened out final furlong, 6th of 11, 3 1/2l behind Siglo Six (9-4) at Sandown 1m hcp (4) gf in Aug.
Waterproof 6-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders on inside, not clear run over 2f out, shaken up inside final 2f, switched right to challenge over 1f out, soon ridden, stayed on and every chance inside final furlong, just held, 2nd of 16, 1/2l behind Dyagilev (9-4) at Chelmsford City 1m 2f stks (6) pol in Oct.
Willett 33-1 (10-12) Held up in last, not fluent 3rd, mistake next, weakened before mistake 3 out, not much room 2 out, mistake last, went 4th flat, 4th of 5, 31 1/4l behind Pop The Cork (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m (4) sft in Oct.
Smashing Lass (IRE) 50-1 (10-5) Always in rear, lost touch from 3 out, tailed off, 7th of 8, dist behind Robeam (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 1f mdn (5) sft in Oct.
