DONCASTER 14:45

All 22 ran.

Time: 1m 46.29s

Overrounds: Industry SP 134%, Betfair SP 101.2%

What looked a typically competitive renewal of the Lincoln was perhaps less so in the event than is usually the case, fitness at a premium under the conditions, and it surely says plenty that each of the first 3 and 5 of the first 6 - Birdman being the only exception - had run within the last 6 weeks; they raced in 2 groups early on, with stalls 1 to 14 more towards the far side and the rest more near side, but afterabout 3f they'd merged and track position didn't seem important, the pair that fought it out coming from opposite flanks; the pace was quite strong and Bravo Zolo was the only one of the principals to race prominently throughout.

SECRET BRIEF (IRE) has been knocking on the door in this type of event for a while now, placed on his final 2 outings in Britain last term and arriving here fit from a good effort in Dubai, and, back on testing ground for the first time since winning a maiden as a 2-y-o, he produced a career best to land this valuable prize; held up, travelled smoothly, headway after halfway, hung left over 1f out, challenged inside final 1f, edged ahead final 50 yds; it's likely that some of the other major 1m handicaps will be on his radar over the coming months and he's likely to continue to give a good account.

BRAVO ZOLO (IRE) had saved all of his previous best efforts for all-weather, his 4 wins having been on polytrack/tapeta, but, faced with more testing ground than previously on turf, he carried on his recent progress, a really smart, game effort, and he could be given some extra credit given that he fared much the best of those that raced up with the early pace; close up, travelled well, led approaching 2f out, challenged inside final 1f, headed final 50 yds; he's still quite lightly raced and has thrived since switched to current yard.

BATTLE OF MARATHON (USA) was on softer ground than previously back on turf and proved better than ever, finishing best of all; in rear, headway over 2f out, still plenty to do approaching final 1f, stayed on strongly and seemed suited by the emphasis on stamina; he's worth another try at 1¼m but overall record is rather patchy, so not sure to be in the same form next time.

BIRDMAN (IRE) had a fantastic first season for this stable, winning 5 handicaps between April and July, and ran right up to his best returning from 6 months off, beaten only by a trio that have been on the go recently; in rear, shaken up 3f out, good progress 2f out, stayed on; he held his form for most of last season, under a range of ground conditions, and should remain competitive.

MAN OF HARLECH ran respectably back on turf and returned to 1m but seemed beaten on merit and probably just high enough in the handicap, especially for races as competitive as this; in touch, effort over 2f out, one paced.

EMELL was fitter for reappearance, back in blinkers and returned to turf too, and ran respectably, a little short of his best but perhaps still working his way back to full fitness; held up, headway under pressure over 2f out, one paced.

EXPRESS HIMSELF (IRE) shaped as if needing the run after 6 months off but really caught the eye to a point, looming up before the lack of a run told; dwelt, travelled strongly, headway halfway, close up over 2f out, faltered final 1f; he's 3 from 4 at Haydock and there's a valuable handicap that he could go to at that track later this month.

FARLOW (IRE) shaped as if better for run after 5 months off, up with the pace for long enough to think that all of his ability remains; prominent, went with enthusiasm, edged ahead over 2f out, headed soon after, no extra final 1f; likely to be much closer to form next time.

STORM ROCK has won when fresh in the past but not at this early stage of the season and shaped as if needing the run after 4 months off; tracked pace, travelled well, pushed along over 2f out, found less than looked likely, not unduly punished; likely to be much closer to form next time.

YOU'RE FIRED (IRE) looked to have optimum conditions but needed the run after 4 months off; held up, headway under pressure over 2f out, no extra over 1f out.

MUTARAKEZ (IRE) was strong in the betting but conditions meant fitness was at a premium and he shaped as if needing the run having been off since Royal Ascot last June; mid-division, chased leaders over 2f out, wandered over 1f out, weakened; this was still only his sixth career start and it's possible he'll resume his progress this term.

BEACH BAR (IRE) has been consistent in Dubai recently but found run of good form coming to a halt; led overall, headed over 2f out, weakened.

FIRE SHIP who was back with his former trainer after well beaten in a couple of novice hurdles, has been given a chance by the handicapper but ran poorly; raced near side, led group, never travelling well, dropped away soon after halfway.

OCEAN TEMPEST looked rusty after 8 months off; chased leaders, off the bridle before most, weakened 2f out, not unduly punished; he's had only 2 runs in the last 12 months, so has presumably had a problem, but is already potentially very well handicapped on old form.

RENE MATHIS (GER) probably needed run after 6 months off; raced off the pace, off the bridle before most, no room under 3f out, never on terms but wasn't persevered with once held.

HEAVEN'S GUEST (IRE) usually runs some sort of race in these valuable handicaps and must have needed the run after 6 months off; held up, pushed along 3f out, soon beaten, eased off.

STIPULATE a smart performer at his best, lost the plot in Australia last year (trained by David Hayes and Tom Dabernig) and was well held back in Britain for new connections after 11 months off; in rear, struggling halfway, made no impression: reportedly bled.

UDODODONTU (IRE) had finished in front of Secret Brief at Meydan 6 weeks earlier but seemed unsuited by these conditions that were much more testing than he'd encountered previously; mid-division, effort around 3f out, beaten under 2f out, heavily eased off; at least he didn't have an unduly hard race and there could be more still to come from him this season back on a sounder surface.

LORD OF THE LAND (IRE) was well backed on first outing since leaving Andre Fabre after 7 months off, all the rage in the ante-post market in particular, but ran no sort of race; in touch, lost place 3f out, soon beaten; he's obviously better than this, a useful multiple winner in France, and O'Meara will no doubt find the key to him at some stage this season.

INGLEBY ANGEL (IRE) was well held on first outing since leaving David O'Meara after 7 months off; in touch, lost place before halfway, first beaten.

LAT HAWILL (IRE) was unable to handle conditions but is hard to catch right, anyway; chased leaders, lost place over 3f out, soon beaten.

SIRIUS PROSPECT (USA) clearly wasn't 100% on the day; prominent, pushed along over 3f out, beaten over 2f out, heavily eased off.