DONCASTER 15:40

Non Runners: MIZZOU (IRE).

Time: 3m 52.97s Closing Sectional: (3f): 37.15s (104.5%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 113%, Betfair SP 101%

The late withdrawal of Mizzou, who was top rated and favourite, without doubt took something away from this year's Doncaster Cup, and aside from the progressive handicappers, St Michel and Sweet Selection, it was contested mostly by veterans of the staying ranks; it wasn't a deep field but the form makes plenty of sense, the pace set by Quest For More a good one, the third the only one to make significant headway from right out the back.

SHEIKHZAYEDROAD has been campaigned solely as a stayer since returning to Britain and gained reward for his consistency after cracking placed efforts in both the Ascot Gold Cup and Goodwood Cup, not needing to better the form that he'd shown on either of those occasions; handy, travelled strongly, headway 3f out, challenged entering final 1f, hung left and took time to knuckle down, edged ahead right on the line; he'll reportedly have one more run this season, either in the Canadian International (unlikely to be far enough) or the Long Distance Cup, and he will stay in training as an 8-y-o.

QUEST FOR MORE (IRE) has really rediscovered his top form in this second half of the season, helped by a change in tactics the last twice, almost pulling it off again from the front 3 weeks after his York win, pressing on into a headwind up the straight and seeing out the extra 2f well but nabbed by one with very similar form; raced clear, went with enthusiasm, pushed along over 2f out, tackled entering final 1f, stayed on and gave his all but was caught on the line; the Long Distance Cup is an option but will be dependent on the ground at Ascot (has a smooth action and unproven on softer than good).

ST MICHEL who wore first-time cheekpieces, has kept improving all the way through the year, relishing each step up in trip, doing so again up markedly in class, showing smart form in third and shaping well to boot, doing much the best of those patiently ridden; dropped out, good headway over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, hung left, kept on until eased close home when booked for third; he's well-in for next month's Cesarewitch, along with Sweet Selection, the weights already out.

BURMESE is a notch below the leading stayers around and vulnerable at this level, but he's run with credit on all bar one of his starts this season, doing just about all he could here on return from 12 weeks off; chased leader, off the bridle long way out but kept plugging away, one paced in the last 2f; he does have a lazy streak and perhaps more severe headgear will be tried sooner rather than later.

SWEET SELECTION faced a stiff task in this grade, still only BHA-rated 87 even though she's done a lot of improving this term, but back at an extreme distance she improved a chunk further typically giving everything; raced off the pace, driven over 4f out, snatched up around 2f out as St Michel made his move, plugged on without being a threat; she's very genuine and, like the third, will head to the Cesarewitch looking very well treated.

CURBYOURENTHUSIASM (IRE) was beaten by more than lack of stamina over 2f longer trip and has disappointed all season since an encouraging return; mid-division, pushed along over 3f out, weakened over 1f out.

CLEVER COOKIE has gone off the boil and, given his age, we've probably seen the very best of him now; in rear, progress halfway, chased leaders over 3f out, struggling when hampered over 1f out, no extra.

CLONDAW WARRIOR (IRE) clearly wasn't 100% on the day, not helped by being too keen; held up, raced too freely, ridden 4f out, folded, eased off.