DONCASTER 15:15

All 22 ran.

Time: 1m 40.15s

Overrounds: Industry SP 129%, Betfair SP 98.3%

A typically competitive renewal of this Lincoln consolation race, though if one were being critical this was a handicap lacking in unexposed types, 2 of the oldest members of the field fighting out the finish, Brae Hill prevailing to add further lustre to an impressive course record in such events; they raced centre to stand side and the early pace was strongest amongst those drawn high, 8 of the first 10 home housed in double figure stalls.

BRAE HILL (IRE) was denied the opportunity to enhance a tremendous record in the Lincoln (placed in the last 3 renewals and winner of the race in 2012), missing the cut having typically ended last season out of form, but bounced back to his best after 6 months off, claiming this consolation prize in gritty fashion; raced stand side, chased leader, led over 2f out, kept going well; as an 8-y-o he is unlikely to prove any better than this, but will remain with handicapping scope and will always command respect given this type of scenario.

STAND MY GROUND (IRE) returned to form after 5 months off, no disgrace in finding a specialist in big-field handicaps too strong; raced stand side, patiently ridden, smooth headway over 2f out, conceded first run to winner but had every chance inside final 1f, stayed on; has fallen to a very handy mark, but went backwards from a promising reappearance last season, his attitude questionable on occasions, and does need to prove he can build on this.

YOURARTISONFIRE ran well on his first outing since October; raced stand side, mid-division, headway over 2f out, kept on; is eligible for significantly lesser handicaps than this and, versatile with regards trip/ground conditions, should find winning opportunities close to hand.

FARLOW (IRE) shaped well on his final start last season (best of those far side in Ayr Bronze Cup) and ran creditably after 6 months off, this longer trip certainly within range, just lacking the necessary change of gear to land a telling blow; raced stand side, mid-field, effort over 2f out, had to pick way through, kept on.

SHOWBOATING (IRE) was fit from a recent spin on fibresand and ran respectably having been prominent throughout; raced stand side, in touch, effort over 2f out, one paced.

ANSAAB in a first-time tongue strap, shaped better than the bare result, deserving extra credit for faring best of those drawn low; raced far side, in touch, shaken up over 2f out, not quicken, faded final 1f; has his quirks/doesn't always deliver off the bridle, but is undeniably well handicapped on the pick of his efforts, admittedly for a different yard.

SILVERY MOON (IRE) has tended to need his first run of the season, and certainly shaped that way here after 8 months off, this return containing enough encouragement to make him of interest next time; raced stand side, waited with, headway over 2f out, effort flattened out.

TELLOVOI (IRE) back on turf, shaped as if still in good form, understandably finding dominating a field of this size beyond him; raced stand side, led overall, went with zest, headed over 2f out, faded.

GLOBAL VILLAGE (IRE) stepped up on his reappearance run in first-time cheekpieces, not seen to best effect positioned down the middle of the course; raced centre, waited with, headway 2f out, never a threat, not ideally placed; well into the veteran stage of his career, but made the frame in the Lincoln and Spring Cup last year from higher marks and is not one to write off.

DANCE AND DANCE (IRE) was well backed with a leading apprentice booked after 10 weeks off, but has never been at his most effective on soft ground and this run is best excused; in rear, switched to join stand side group halfway, brief headway 2f out, no further impression; notoriously hard to win with, though is very well treated and has the ability to run away with a similar event when everything drops right.

NAABEGHA reverted to turf, was unsuited by the emphasis on stamina stepping back up in trip, performing better than his finishing position would indicate; dwelt, raced stand side, in rear, brief headway 2f out, effort flattened out; likely to prove best short of 1m.

DREAM WALKER (FR) improved considerably in 2013, winning 4 times, but was below form after 6 months off; raced centre, mid-division, beaten over 2f out.

BORN TO SURPRISE shaped better than the distance beaten suggests; dwelt, raced far side, in rear, brief headway 2f out, effort flattened out, left poorly placed; should be afforded further respite from the handicapper and, for all he is hard to catch right, is not one to dismiss totally, a return to 7f likely to suit (both wins over that trip).

DIXIE'S DREAM (IRE) back on turf, is better judged on previous form, this ground softer than ideal; in rear, switched to join stand side group halfway, pushed along 3f out, edged left, no further impression.

FREEWHEEL (IRE) the least exposed member of the field, was well held making handicap debut after 3 months off; raced off the pace far side, off the bridle long way out, struggling 3f out; has been gelded incidentally.

BOOTS AND SPURS was narrowly beaten in this race last year (from a 12 lb lower mark), but ran poorly without his usual headgear on first outing since leaving K. R. Burke after 5 months off; raced stand side, in touch, weakened 3f out.

GWORN was largely progressive last season, but made a disappointing return here, even allowing for where he was drawn; raced far side, held up, beaten over 2f out.

WEAPON OF CHOICE (IRE) shaped as if needing the run after 5 months off; raced centre, prominent, folded over 2f out.

NAMEITWHATYOULIKE ran no sort of race after 6 months off; raced centre, held up, beaten over 2f out.

AMAZE back down in trip, offered little after 5 months off; raced centre, held up, off the bridle before most, labouring 3f out.

ASKAUD (IRE) went backwards from her reappearance; raced far side, prominent, folded over 2f out.

POSTSCRIPT (IRE) shaped as if amiss; raced far side, mid-division, pushed along over 3f out, faltered over 1f out, eased off.