Corporate bookmakers, by nature beasts of flight, wore a calm look of self assurance after Raise A Grand's victory in the Solario Stakes at Sandown yesterday.

Like the thoroughbred racehorse who forms the centrepiece of the action, the modern layer takes no chances with a prospective predator. But they saw no need to activate their self-preservation instinct after yesterday's seven-furlong Group Three, in which Pip Payne's Grand Lodge colt lowered the colours of Compton Admiral, who himself had undone Henry Cecil's Killer Instinct at Ascot last month.

Taking over in front for Gary Carter approaching the final furlong, the chestnut, second to Aljabr when seeking a hat-trick in Glorious Goodwood's Group Three Lanson Champagne Vintage Stakes, had to withstand the late threat of Compton Admiral, the 13 to 8 favourite.

He did so by a length and a quarter at the line, with two back to Miss Universe. Bookmakers' PR men coolly handed out their post-race confetti which showed Aljabr had been shortened to 12 to 1 second favourite behind Stravinsky, with Coral and William Hill, while Raise A Grand and Compton Admiral are on general offer at 33 to 1.

But Payne was understandably enthusiastic about his chestnut. "That was a very sweet performance," he said.

"He has always been a nice horse and has done nothing wrong. "He was carried out by a loose horse at Yarmouth but won his second and third starts nicely. He didn't like the ground at Goodwood."

Quizzed as to Raise A Grand's future, Payne added: "I haven't discussed it with the owner and there may be a remote possibility he will go for the Champagne Stakes at Doncaster but more than likely he will go for a winter's rest. He has lots of scope and I would like to give him a winter to develop into that large frame."

Pattern races could be next for Sunstreak after his 10-length victory in the West End Handicap.