DONCASTER 14:15

Non Runners: MANY STARS (IRE). Fences: 18.

Time: 6m 17.3s Closing Sectional: (3.02f): 46.3s (101.2%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 110%, Betfair SP 101.6%

The winner was the outsider of the lot, though his improvement is by no means inexplicable and it was the one that looked the pick of the weights beforehand that he edged out after the last, nothing wrong with the form between them for they were the only ones that fully delivered.

CHAMPAGNE RIAN (IRE) must've found first-time blinkers and tongue strap doing the trick in a major way and bounced back from out of the blue, proving better than ever to win for the first time; close up, jumped fine, upsides from early final circuit, pushed along 5 out, headed briefly next, edged ahead before last, not fluent there, found plenty; much now depends on whether the headgear/tongue strap combination works so well again next time.

AMERICAN LEGEND (IRE) benefited from drop back in trip and returned to form back from 7 weeks off, going down fighting; disputed lead, jumped soundly, went on briefly 4 out, every chance last, stayed on; he seems best with a bit of time between races.

LIBERTY COURT (IRE) shaped as if back in form without recapturing the level he showed when fourth in a strong race at Sandown on chasing debut, not obviously inconvenieced by the longer trip, though it's still possible he'll prove best over shorter, while also worth noting that his stable has been rather quiet recently, so all in all well worth another chance to confirm himself well treated; mid-division, travelled well, crept closer eleventh, in touch 5 out, shaken up next, not quicken, blundered 2 out, one paced.

ACHIMOTA (IRE) shaped as if still in good form, likely to have lasted longer but for a mid-race blunder; mid-division, bad mistake tenth, pushed along twelfth, in touch 5 out, no extra from 3 out.

PURCELL'S BRIDGE (FR) shaped as if still in form but found it tougher in a better race, having been done no favours by the handicapper; held up, crept closer twelfth, in touch 5 out, effort next, no further impression.

RED DEVIL LADS (IRE) was strong in betting back over fences from a mark 4 lb lower than he defied over hurdles last time but ran badly, pure and simple let down by his jumping, even worse on that score than in 2 prior outings over fences; raced wide, disputed lead, jumped poorly, dropped away before tenth, soon beaten.

KELLYS BROW (IRE) came in for some support but showed nothing, even if entitled to be rusty after 14 months off; in rear, off the bridle long way out, mistake seventh, well beaten tenth.