Soldier strikes late to land gamble The well-backed Fleetfootsoldier got on top late on to land the opening optional claimer at Dundalk this afternoon. 50/1 shot Rock Basher made a bold bid from the front in the mile contest but couldn’t hold the late charge of Fleetfootsoldier. Ben Coen got a good tune from the Natalia Lupini-trained gelding to secure a neck success. The 7/2 winner had been as big as 16/1 this morning. It was his fourth outing since joining Lupini. Assistant trainer Craig Bryson said: "He probably likes the surface up here, probably the soft ground in Navan the last time over a mile and two (furlongs) was too much for him. "He shows a wee bit, he's consistent at home. He's not dislikeable. "He might pick up a couple here over the winter." Fleetfootsoldier was subsequently claimed by James McAuley to be trained by Denis Hogan. The same connections also claimed runner-up Rock Basher. Secret Rock (finished 10th) was claimed by Tadhg O'Sullivan to be trained by Cian Collins. (Quotes by Michael Graham)
