Whatcombe trainer Paul Cole’s Classic dreams for Berkshire remain alive after the highly-regarded colt dug deep to land the Judd-monte Royal Lodge Stakes at Newmarket on Satur-day.

The 11-8 joint favourite may not have produced the brilliance of his Chesham Stakes win at Royal Ascot on his last start in June.

But in beating market rival Somewhat and Sir Jack Layden in a finish of necks in the Group 2 mile contest, the giant son of Mount Nelson retained his position as a 16-1 shot for the Qipco 2000 Guineas and a 25-1 chance for the Investec Derby.

Cole said: “It was quite an exciting race. He looked a bit green and he hadn't run for quite a long time, and two-year-olds seem to have to regroup sometimes.

“He got unbalanced, but anyway if they are good they will get there.

“He is a great big horse and we hope next year is going to be his year. He probably won't run again this season.”

Jockey Jim Crowley, who picked up a two-day whip ban, added: “He has not run for three months and was a bit gassy and fresh early on and took me on a little bit.

“Although we have always said he wants fast ground he just might want it not that quick.

“He has got the job done and he is going to be an even better three-year-old.”

On the same card, Wantage trainer Henry Candy went agonisingly close to landing the Betfred Cambridgeshire with Code Of Honor.

Fergus Sweeney brought the three-year-old with a withering run in the closing stages of the prestigious nine-furlong handicap.

But he was just unable to catch Educate, who held on to win by a short head for Newmarket trainer Ismail Mohammed and jockey John-ny Murtagh.

Candy said: “It was just a little too firm for him early on, but once he kicked in, he finished like a sprinter.”