Sterling performance from Silver Knott in G3 Solario Stakes

Silver Knott added his name to a hugely exciting group of Godolphin juveniles in the UK this year with an emphatic victory in the G3 Solario Stakes at Sandown Park on Saturday, 20 August.

Making his Pattern debut following a routine all-the-way win at Kempton Park, the Charlie Appleby-trained colt was held up in last of the six runners by Pat Dobbs.

Silver Knott travelled ominously well around the outside of the field approaching the final quarter-mile and cruised up to hit the front with just over a furlong left.

Asked to win his race soon after, the son of Lope de Vega lengthened away from his rivals for an easy three and a quarter-length success in the seven-furlong contest, won by Derby hero Masar in 2017.

Charlie Appleby said: “Silver Knott is a nice horse and the Newbury maiden he ran in on debut has worked out really well. He then progressed from there onto Kempton, when William [Buick] said that making all wasn’t the way to ride him.

“Pat [Dobbs] has given him a lovely ride. I told him just to give him a target and, after looking like he could’ve been trapped in a bit, Pat’s done the right thing in dropping him in. He has travelled into it like a nice horse – there were a few talking horses in the race but we would put Silver Knott towards the forefront of our own team.

“There are no set plans at the moment but I am expecting further improvement when he goes over a mile. I’m not sure whether he’s a Royal Lodge kind of horse or whether we stick to seven furlongs for a bit longer.”

Pat Dobbs said: “Charlie wanted me to be a little bit closer but it was a messy race. I jumped well and tried to come back to get some cover but everyone kicked up the inside, so I had no other choice but to drop out a little further than ideal.

“We got racing a long way out and Silver Knott has a very good turn of foot. He was probably in front a little too soon but he got slightly unbalanced and came alight when I gave him a squeeze.

“He won very easily and is still a big baby. I think there is plenty of improvement in him and he is a beautiful mover. I’m not sure how far he can go.”