Hiltz lost her chance at a medal when Kipyegon decided to make it a fast race. At that point it becomes very similar to the women's steeplechase...if you don't go with the break you've got no chance.
That's why looking at best times is often meaningless. How is Hiltz going to defeat Chepchirchir from dozens of yards behind her? There was no question Chepchirchir would follow but Hiltz would not.
Chepchirchir essentially inherited the Welteji stalking role in this race. There was even the hand fighting between Hull and Chepchirchir at the bell. Hull shoved Chepchirchir out of the way when Chepchirchir tried to pass her. You could see the anger in Chepchirchir's face, followed by a few shouted words at Hull. I assumed that incident would become a talking point but I haven't seen anything about it.
Two weeks ago I thought Kipyegon would win by 5-10 meters, with Welteji second and Hull and Chepchirchir duking it out for bronze. Nobody could have forecast the upstart Kenyan. But assuming silver to Jessica Hull was an enormous gaffe. I thought she had greater chance of finishing off the podium than winning silver. Chepchirchir has to be kicking herself for not making it a Kenyan sweep.