DONCASTER 15:45

All 8 ran. Fences: 18. Race Distance Adjustment: +11 yds

Time: 5m 56.1s Closing Sectional: (3f): 44.7s (99.5%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 113%, Betfair SP 101.5%

None of these veterans looked notably well treated and the muddling shape of the latter stages - Ericht was 5 lenghts clear at the last before curling up - reinforces the impression that it won't make for strong form.

KILLALA QUAY back over fences, had been pulled up on his first 3 starts this season but was seemingly freshened up by a 12-week break and bounced back to winning ways, albeit owing plenty to the frailties of the third; chased leader, not fluent fifth, pushed along before 5 out, looked held before last, stayed on to lead dying strides; he'll remain potentially well treated but there was an opportunistic element to this last-gasp win and he doesn't strike as an obvious type to follow up.

SAINT ARE (FR) who won this race last year, ran creditably after 12 weeks off; made running, not fluent seventh, pushed along 5 out, headed before 3 out, looked held before last, kept on run-in, just failed; he's got the Grand National on the agenda but will need to be better than ever to improve on his second in 2015, and he has failed to complete on his last 2 tries over the big fences.

ERICHT (IRE) went like the best horse at the weights but failed to seal the deal after the last, his effort going a long way to explaining why he's been such an infrequent winner over the last few seasons; dropped out, travelled well, went prominent out wide twelfth, led before 3 out, 5 lengths up and looked in control last, faltered run-in, caught dying strides.

ASTRACAD (FR) back in a tongue strap, probably remains in form but didn't jump all that well and looked a bit awkward under pressure; held up, mistakes tenth, twelfth, headway when not clear run before 5 out, no extra from 3 out.

COURT BY SURPRISE (IRE) was below form; mid-division, lost place when mistake eighth (dragged hind legs through water), pushed along twelfth, no chance from 5 out.

BLUE KASCADE (IRE) claimer ridden and without usual headgear, might have needed the run after 8 weeks off and was below form, taking on better rivals than usual; held up, took closer order eighth, ridden when mistake thirteenth, weakened after 5 out.

SEVENTH SKY (GER) is struggling for form at present; in touch, pushed along twelfth, mistake 4 out, weakened.

SAMINGARRY (FR) comes from a stable that's hit form and attracted support at long odds but ran badly in first-time blinkers, looking hard work; pressed leader third, driven tenth, weakened after twelfth.