DONCASTER 15:05

Non Runners: CAPE CASTLE (IRE), DESERT SNOW. Race Distance Adjustment: +9 yds

Time: 3m 6.46s Closing Sectional: (3f): 36s (106.1%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 116%, Betfair SP 99.6%

This year's Park Hill Stakes didn't have quite the quality of some recent renewals, and with the early pace only ordinary the field finished in a bit of a heap, but that didn't stop a trio of progressive fillies fighting out the finish, and the result between them looks a solid one; things developed approaching the final 2f, with the first and third launching their challenges down the centre before edging over towards the runner-up on the far rail, Gretchen eventually edging into a narrow lead and, despite having been keen early, seeing it out strongly.

GRETCHEN has been asked some big questions in her short career but seems to be finding her feet now, her pedigree pointing to her thriving on this longer distance, a half-sister to Doncaster Cup winner Samuel, and so it proved as she followed up from her listed success last time, still not looking the finished article but showing a good attitude where it mattered, grinding this out despite some early over-exuberance; mid-field, didn't settle fully early, but began to make headway over 2f out, challenged Melodious approaching final 1f, stayed on into a narrow advantage entering last ½f, kept going well, looking better the further she went; retirement was mooted in the immediate aftermath of the race, with connections citing a lack of suitable opportunities against her own sex as the main reason, though that seems slightly premature, as more progress should be forthcoming as she continues to fill out her considerable frame and has her stamina further tapped into, it not out of the question that she could make up into a Cup horse if kept in training next season.

MELODIOUS is proving most progressive, contesting - and being beaten - in handicaps off marks in the mid-80s as recently as 3 starts ago, had only been off a week but still showed enough improvement to take the rise is class in her stride, comfortably reversing York form with Koora, proving game in defeat to boot; mid-division, made steady headway from 4f out, taking it up 2f out, tackled approaching final 1f and headed entering last ½f but really sticking to the task; it's not inconceivable she'll do better still, but with limited options against her own sex she may be forced into tackling even deeper company next time.

ASYAD (IRE) was unable to reverse Newmarket form with the winner despite getting a much fairer crack at her this time, but still ran really well upped in grade, seeing out the longer trip well too, that opening up more options for her, just bumping into a couple of more progressive 3-y-os; in touch, effort over 2f out, every chance approaching final 1f, stayed on.

TOE THE LINE (IRE) ran respectably but didn't find circumstances quite so conducive as she had when getting a strong pace to aim at in the Ebor; held up, went with enthusiasm, headway 3f out, chased leaders final 1f, kept on, never nearer; as mentioned previously, the listed race she won at the Curragh last year looks an obvious next port of call, provided it doesn't come too soon, a step back up to 2m likely to help on this evidence.

GROOVEJET runner-up in last year's renewal, fared a bit better than she had previously this season but still couldn't get competitive, making only late headway when matters were all but over, and she'll need her sights lowering if she's to stage a full revival; in rear, not quicken over 2f out, kept on final 1f but never a threat.

KOORA out of a mare who finished runner-up in this race, backed up her effort last time without being able to continue her forward strides, but seemed held back by something late on, possibly residual greenness or maybe not relishing the conditions, and with her career very much still in its infancy this is unlikely to prove the peak of her powers; soon steadied and, having taken a keen hold initially, was soon travelling smoothly, progress approaching final 1f, but changed legs a number of times and her effort flattened out inside final ½f.

MILL SPRINGS was set a very stiff task upped to this grade on the back of a beating in a handicap off just 77, but seemed to excel herself over this longer trip, albeit never threatening to play a leading role, potentially flattered to have finished so close in the end; prominent, ridden 3f out, lost place 2f out, faded gradually; not certain to confirm the improvement shown here next time.

ARABIAN COMET (IRE) fifth in last year's renewal, but had failed to cut much ice in the Ebor last time and this was simply a below-par effort, no momentum at all to her season thus far; mid-field, off the bridle long way out, lost place over 2f out, merely plugged on back past beaten rivals; has a bit to prove at present.

HIDDEN GOLD (IRE) has kept exalted company all season, but this was a rare tame effort back against her own sex; tracked pace, challenged 3f out, weakened over 1f out, not persevered with once held.

VIVE MA FILLE (GER) ran to just a similar level as last time, evidence continuing to mount that her Goodwood Cup run is flattering; made running, headed 2f out, weakened entering final 1f.

ISLAND REMEDE was flying a bit too high in this company but, in first-time cheekpieces, wasn't in the same form as last time anyway, and didn't look entirely cooperative here; raced well off the pace, travelled better than most, effort approaching 2f out, carried head awkwardly, found little.