took keen hold, held up in rear, ridden and strugging 3f out
steadied start, took keen hold and held up in rear, headway on rails over 3f out, driven and stayed on from over 1f out, never quite able to challenge first 2
held up towards rear, headway on outside over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, never going pace to reach leaders
led, ridden 2f out, kept on well until headed and unable to quicken inside final furlong
chased leader to 2f out, soon weakened
took keen hold in mid-division, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out
took keen hold in mid-division, pushed along 4f out, headway on outside 2f out, never reached leaders, weakened inside final furlong
in touch, pushed along early straight, ridden to close on leader 2f out, driven to lead inside final furlong, pushed out, kept on well
pushed along over 3f out, always behind
behind, ridden over 2f out, switched left entering final furlong, stayed on but not reached leaders
dwelt, soon in mid-division, headway on outside to chase leading pair 2f out, one pace and no impression approaching final furlong
chased leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out
held up in rear, pushed along entering straight, stayed on final 2f, not pace to reach leaders
Colony may be the one to bring William Blake's winning run to an end. The selection was viewed as a slightly fortuitous winner in some quarters at Sandown as a better fancied stablemate was short of room at a crucial stage but the winner is a decent sort in his own right and looks progressive. He's worse off at the weights with the runner-up Midships whilst eighth placed Trenchtown's yard is in much better form now but he is taken to confirm the placings. Mark Johnston has won two of the last three renewals of this race and should know where he stands with the selection as he saddled the previously unbeaten Captain Webb in that Sandown handicap. It's unlikely that we've seen the best of William Blake, who wasn't extended last time and has a Group 2 entry, and he is an obvious threat. The likes of Silver Rime, Jabal Tariq and Master Spy are stepping up in class whilst Ramona Chase and Better Hand have proven their competitiveness in this company but may bump into something better handicapped. Colony is one such contender and is our idea of the winner.
Better Hand (IRE) 10-1 (8-12) Steadied start, held up in 4th, headway over 3f out, ridden and to challenge over 3f out, soon chasing winner, weakened and lost 2nd close home, 3rd of 4, 3 1/2l behind Kandahar Run (8-12) at Newmarket 1m 2f 3yo lst stk (1) gd.
Ramona Chase 10-1 (8-11) Steadied start, held up in rear, headway from over 2f out to chase leaders, chased winner over 1f out, stayed on, 2nd of 11, 3l behind Dr Faustus (8-8) at Newmarket 1m 2f 3yo hcp (2) gd.
Whitcombe Minister (USA) 20-1 (9-0) In touch, driven 3f out, weakened 2f out, 8th of 9, 11l behind Centennial (9-0) at Sandown 1m 2f 3yo Grp 3 (1) gd in Apr.
Midships (USA) 25-1 (9-1) Led, ridden and strongly pressed 2f out, headed when not pace of winner inside final furlong, kept on well to hold 2nd, 2nd of 11, 2l behind Colony (8-5) at Sandown 1m 2f 3yo hcp (3) gs in Apr.
William Blake 5-6fav (9-4) Steadied at start, led after 1f, shaken up and clear over 1f out, pushed out final furlong, won at Beverley 1m 2f 3yo hcp (4) gs in Apr beating Dubai Petal (8-9) by 4l, 6 ran.
Master Spy 3-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, led well over 2f out, soon clear, easily, won at Southwell 1m mdn stk (5) fbs in Apr beating Deep River Bay (10-0) by 10l, 11 ran.
Silver Rime (FR) 11-4jt-fav (9-2) Made all, ran on well, ridden out, won at Windsor 1m 3yo hcp (4) gd in Apr beating Adversity (9-1) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
Strategic Mission (IRE) 10-3 (9-3) Prominent, led 6f out, shaken up over 1f out, ridden and ran on well inside final furlong, won at Newbury 1m 2yo mdn (4) gs in Oct beating Saleima (8-12) by 2l, 13 ran.
Ruff Diamond (USA) 14-1 (9-0) Held up in rear, ridden 3f out, soon struggling, last of 9, 13l behind Centennial (9-0) at Sandown 1m 2f 3yo Grp 3 (1) gd in Apr.
Trenchtown (IRE) 20-1 (9-1) Prominent, went 2nd 8f out to over 3f out, ridden and weakened 2f out, 8th of 11, 9l behind Colony (8-5) at Sandown 1m 2f 3yo hcp (3) gs in Apr.
Colony (IRE) 6-1 (8-5) Held up in rear, sustained run on outside from 2f out, stayed on to lead inside final furlong, won going away, won at Sandown 1m 2f 3yo hcp (3) gs in Apr beating Midships (9-1) by 2l, 11 ran.
Jabal Tariq 11-10fav (9-3) Made all, quickened clear 2f out, eased inside final furlong, easily, won at Ripon 1m 2f 3yo mdn (5) gd in Apr beating Wells Lyrical (9-3) by 4l, 11 ran.
Sundowner (IRE) 11-4jt-fav (8-13) Never better than mid-division, 7th of 12, 9l behind Silver Rime (9-2) at Windsor 1m 3yo hcp (4) gd in Apr.
Palmerin 14-1 (8-13) Tracked leaders to 2f out, soon weakened, 7th of 12, 7l behind Red Rumour (9-4) at Kempton 1m 3yo hcp (3) pol in Mar.
Siberian Tiger (IRE) 25-1 (9-4) Mid-division, ridden and headway over 2f out, one pace over 1f out, 4th of 11, 7l behind Dr Faustus (8-8) at Newmarket 1m 2f 3yo hcp (2) gd.
