Colony held up in midfield, ridden and headway 2f out, led entering final furlong, driven and stayed on well

Savarain pressed leader, ridden to lead briefly over 1f out, not quicken inside final furlong

Moonquake towards rear and wide, ridden and ran on final 2f, nearest finish

Dream Desert started slowly, behind, found clear passage near inside rail and good headway from 2f out, stayed on final furlong

Drill Sergeant led, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, one pace

Trenchtown held up towards rear, not clear run and switched outside over 2f out, stayed on approaching final furlong, never nearer

Indian Days tracked leaders, hemmed in on rail entering straight until switched left over 1f out, no extra

Ghimaar started slowly, behind, some headway when hung right inside final 2f, never reached leaders

Fiulin pulled hard, in touch on rail, pushed along over 3f out, hard ridden and weakened 2f out

Ramona Chase took keen hold in midfield, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened

Better Hand took keen hold towards rear, hampered 7f out, ridden and no danger final 3f, well beaten when hampered over 1f out

The Betchworth Kid on and off the bridle, behind, ridden 4f out, modest late headway

Daraahem chased leaders until not much room and bumped over 2f out, soon weakened

Missioner held up in touch, ridden 4f out, weakened 3f out

Woolfall Treasure ridden 3f out, always behind

Strategic Mission prominent, driven along and starting to weaken when bumped over 2f out, soon lost place

A race well established as one of the strongest three-year-old handicaps of the season, and one that invariably goes the way of one of the big yards who often dominate the entries with some well-bred and unexposed sorts. Chief among that number is Sir Michael Stoute, who had won this race three times in the last ten years, and he added to his tally here with the market leader COLONY, who headed to this race with a very similar profile to the trainer's winner in the race four years ago, Admiral. The winner of two of his previous four starts, he found himself short of toe when finishing third at Newbury last time, but he gave the impression on that occasion that this step up in trip would be to his liking. That proved to be the case, and on ground thatwould have been quick enough for him, he made headway from his midfield position between the three and two poles to take it up inside the final furlong. Plans remain fluid but this could be a stepping stone to a bright future.

Savarain had won a maiden at Goodwood - that is not working out particularly well - over this trip two starts ago, before finishing last of the six in Listed company at that same track last time. On the evidence of that he looked to have a tough task here giving weight away to numerous sorts who still have plenty more to give. Taking those factors into account this was a cracking effort. He raced prominently throughout the race and after hitting the front inside the final furlong he got run out of it in the closing stages. His trainer does well with his middle distance handicappers and there could be a lot more to come from him in the future.

The next two places were filled by horses who had only had three starts prior to this, and both created the impression here that they could go on to better things over further in time. This was a different proposition to the straightforward task Moonquake had faced in maiden company last time, but he created a good impression, finishing the best in a field that featured plenty who were expected to relish this sort of trip. Dream Desert was steadied at the start. He only had four behind turning in and galloped all the way to the line. He looks to have bags of stamina, although there is a suspicion on what he has shown so far that he may be slightly one-paced.

Not for the first time over this trip, Trenchtown was doing his best work late on. Even at this stage in his career he looks like he wants further. His late effort denied Indian Days place prize-money. He raced up with the pace for much off the race off a 9lb higher mark for his win at Redcar last time, but could not get out when his rider wanted to make his move.

This was only the second start Ghimaar had had this year and only his second at beyond a mile. He looks an out-and-out stayer. The slowly into stride Fiulin was one-paced. Ramona Chase had shown recent form which looked to put him in with a chance. He raced far too keenly through the first half of the race though. Better Hand found himself short of room when his rider started to make a run. He could have been a lot closer with a clear passage and it would be no surprise to see him turn the tables on some of those who finished in front of him.

The Betchworth Kid looked unlikely to get involved on what he had shown recently. It was no surprise that that proved to be the case. Daraahem dropped away late on. This trip may beslightly beyond him at present.

Missioner looked as if the extra two furlongs was beyond his compass. Woolfall Treasure was never able to get competitive, while Strategic Mission was eased when beaten, suggesting something had gone amiss. [PE]

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