The Michael Jarvis trained Philip Robinson ridden Sri Putra outstayed his ten rivals to win the Group 3 Solario stakes at Sandown Park, never far off an honest gallop set by the favourite Cry of Freedom Sri Putra got on top of the still very green The Cheka inside the final furlong doing all his best work in the final 100yards. All the front three, including Patrician’s Glory, were having just their second career start and are open to any amount of improvement.

Shabiba benefiting from a strong early pace was able to overcome a slow start to gain her first Listed success in the Atalanta Stakes, confidently ridden by Richard Hills the stoutly bred daughter of Seeking The God along with the second Ada River and Ghaidaa, also racing in the blue and white of Hamdan Al Matoum, picked up the speed horses as they capitulated.

My sympathy had to go out to trainer Malcolm Saunders, Tom McLaughlin and poor old Crimson Fern who having run his heart out trying to make all in the McGee Group Handicap got touched off on the line by Hoh Hoh Hoh with Safari Mischief only a head back in third in the tightest of photo’s.

Luca Cumani made it a first and third in the £100,000 Heritage Handicap as Ask The Butler got the better of the Ryan Moore ridden Lang Shining with Swop back in third, visually a strongly run race it was survival of the fittest as the front three moved on with the least exposed coming out on top under a strong drive from Dane O’Neill.

Racing on the nearside Ridge Wood Dani, Valatrix and Tadalavil filled two of the first three placings in yet another typical competitive 5F handicap. Not certain whether it was something to do with the ground the way the result worked out but the winner won well and could easily make it three in a row in similar conditions.

In yet another close finish Swift Chap mugged Key Signature on the line in the Variety Club Golden Anniversary Nursery as the front two pulled a couple of lengths clear of the Oil Man.

To round off what had been a brilliant days action Mr Simon Dobson brought the 12/1 shot Dragon Slayer through with a well-timed run to collar the 3/1 favourite Wee Charlie Castle right on the wire.