HIS SECOND DEFEAT

COLOMBO'S ASCOT FAILURE

The interval between Epsom and Ascot is brief, and it has often happened that colts who. have had a bad race in the Derby have failed ill races for which they have been presumed certainties on the Hoyal Heath. Nevertheless, it was something of a catastrophe for backers when Colombo.failed .to land the odds laid on him for the mile St. James's Palace Stakes on. the opening clay of this year's Royal Ascot Meeting on June 20.

It did not seem possible' that Lord Glanely's colt could be defeated, aud the few who differed were mostly on the side of Law Maker (says "Sporting Life"). Strictly on. the book, however, Flamenco was tho-danger, for Lord Rosebery's colt ran Windsor Lad to a length in the Newmarket .Stakes and was a. creditable fourth in the Guineas.

Flamenco ln«l not had a strenuous Derby preparation, and we can realise after the event that lie had a distinct advantage over Colombo.

Harry Wragg must be given credit for a piece of brainy riding, his tactics being reminiscent of those adopted when he won the Eclipse Stakes on Miracle. Flamenco was well clear of the rest making the turn and it was then that Wragg again revealed him.s'oif ;as,a tactician, lie left the rails to race on'better going in the middle of the course. Colombo-was thus enabled to take closer order, and a quarter of a mile from home he looked like landing the spoils. Flamenco, however, had something in reserve, and although Colombo battled on under pressure he was beaten half a length. Lord Astor's Law Maker ' exposed his limitations as a St. Lcger fancy. The Manton colt will have to make a lot of improvement before September to have any^chance in the last of the classics.