Ancien Regime tracked leading pair, effort over 1f out, driven to lead last 150yds, edged right under pressure, held on

Prime Defender pushed along on outer in midfield after 2f, progress under pressure from well over 1f out, stayed on to chase winner last 100yds, just held

Hoh Mike dwelt, held up in last and well off the pace, taken to outer and effort well over 1f out, driven and ran on final furlong, nearest finish

Wi Dud held up in about 7th, steady progress from 2f out, tried to close on leaders from 1f out, lacked extra zip to challenge

Off The Record tracked leading pair, closed to challenge and nearly upsides 1f out, not quicken final furlong

Peace Offering taken down early, chased leader, ridden soon after halfway, led well over 1f out, headed final 150yds, still 3rd but held when hampered 50yds out

Intrepid Jack held up in last pair from low draw, driven on outer over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, nearest finish

Rowe Park tracked leading pair on inner, close up when not much room well over 1f out, and lost place, never recovered

Matsunosuke slowly into stride, held up in 9th, still at rear but closed on leaders over 1f out, faded final furlong

Day By Day led to well over 1f out, weakened

Only 1mm of rain had fallen overnight, but a further 3mm of water had been put on the sprint course and the finishing straight. On a warm breezy day the ground was drying out again through the day. Although this 5f time was slower than the handicappers had achieved 24 hours earlier, there was more wind, and it was almost head on.

There were no stars in this Group 3 and they finished in a heap, headed, significantly, by the only three-year-old in the field, ANCIEN REGIME, who was stepping up in class following his excellent York third over 6f. His success, gained narrowly after being in the first five or six throughout, continued the unusually strong showing put up by his age group in the top sprints so far. Unfortunately he edged right from the whip well inside the final furlong and caused Peace Offering to be snatched up.

Prime Defender ran probably his best race of the season and was keeping on pretty well under pressure. The stable feels its runners are finishing their races better now than they had been, and he will be left in the July Cup, although he would have little chance there.

Hoh Mike came here unbeaten in two previous appearances at Sandown, including in the corresponding race a year ago, where he just got up to beat Wi Dud. The pair pretty much replicated their relationship that day, but on this quicker ground Hoh Mike never quite looked like getting there, having made his usual slow start and been eight or ten lengths off the lead until making headway on the wide outside in the last 2f.

Intrepid Jack, better than the bare form suggested in the Wokingham, did well to finish so close after being in rear with Hoh Mike.

Rowe Park, the only one burdened with a penalty, travelled well and would have been closer but for being short of room on the far rail just inside the last 2f. This was more encouraging.

bMatsunosuke never got involved, however, and Day By Day dropped out to finish last after showing speed. (GD)

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