**Soldier's Heart Triumphs in Ripon Two-Year-Old Trophy Stakes**

Soldier's Heart leveraged his prior experience on the course to dominate the British Stallion Studs EBF Ripon Champion Two Yrs Old Trophy Stakes from start to finish.

Simon and Ed Crisford decided to extend his distance to six furlongs for his recent victory at Ripon, after he struggled in the Molecomb Stakes at Goodwood.

With an effortless victory in that conditions race, it undoubtedly prepared him well for the competitive field featuring seven previous winners.

Harry Davies managed to secure the advantageous rail position from stall five, and in reality, the outcome never seemed uncertain.

Given an unchallenged lead, he steadily increased the pace, and with one furlong remaining, the race seemed decided as he maintained a four-length lead.

Benevento performed admirably, narrowing the gap to within two lengths, but he couldn't compete with the 15-8 favorite, who is now set to move back up in class.

Richard Fahey's Shadow Army, who previously secured fourth place in the Group One Phoenix Stakes, ended this race significantly behind the leaders, suggesting that something might have been wrong.

Davies commented on the winner: "He's progressed further from his last outing. He made an excellent start from the gates and was more savvy today, having had a good look around during his previous race."

'Having raced here before definitely benefitted him. Some horses struggle the first time out, but he has improved significantly and handled the conditions well.

He's compact, bred for speed, and the return to six furlongs has certainly benefited him. He performed exceptionally well today.

'He's entered in the Mill Reef at Newbury on September 21, and the Middle Park at Newmarket on September 28, so those options are definitely available now. If he continues performing as he has been, we will be pleased.

At Goodwood in the Molecomb, he was nearly run off his feet. It was my first time riding him, and obviously, Goodwood is a very sharp five furlongs. When horses get unbalanced coming down the hill, they rarely have much of a chance. He only started picking up speed in the last furlong.

'We knew that placing him in a more familiar and suitable setting would allow him to perform at his best and secure a lead once again.'