DONCASTER 15:20

All 12 ran. Fences: 18.

Time: 6m 9s Closing Sectional: (3f): 47.1s (98.1%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 114%, Betfair SP 100.8%

With a £30,000 prize fund it's no surprise that this veterans' race attracted a good field; the pace was strong, those up there early doing a bit too much, making for a thorough stamina/jumping test.

BAND OF BLOOD (IRE) looked well-in under a penalty, was strong in the market and followed up from last time, a 10-day turnaround from his comeback run no issue at all; in touch, mistake eighth, tracked pace 5 out, went second 2 out, led soon after last, forged clear; he seems as good as ever and was fourth in an Irish National from a mark in the 130s back in 2015, so his revised mark (5 lb higher than he ran off here) isn't sure to be beyond him.

HALO MOON ran right up to his best, suited by the strong pace; in rear, took time to warm to task, headway after thirteenth, chased leaders 4 out, hung left, stayed on, took second final 100 yds; this is confirmation that he's still on a competitive mark without being thrown in.

SEGO SUCCESS (IRE) has been given a chance by the handicapper and ran well, deserving extra credit too after looking the winner for much of the straight, probably making his bid for home sooner than ideal; held up, travelled well, went prominent before halfway, jumped on 4 out, steadied into last, headed soon after, no extra; his jumping was better than it has been and, if he can hold that together, he can win before the season's out.

KILLALA QUAY won this last year from 4 lb higher but it was a stronger renewal this time around and he ran one of this season's better races, faring best of those that raced prominently; chased leaders, outpaced thirteenth, rallied 3 out, kept on.

NO DUFFER in first-time cheekpieces, took a step back in the right direction after a poor start to the season, shaping better than the distance beaten suggests; close up, went on before thirteenth, ridden when headed 4 out, tied up before last, did too much too soon; he's not sure to build on this but will be back on a winning mark next time.

UPSWING (IRE) should strip fitter and be sharper all round for the run after 8 months off; held up, ridden 5 out, some headway after next, no further impression, not unduly punished.

ASTRACAD (FR) isn't proven over this far but the trip wasn't the problem here, struggling 5 out and making no impression.

CALL ME VIC (IRE) ran poorly in first-time blinkers; mid-division, lost place 5 out, soon done with.

INDIAN CASTLE (IRE) has become disappointing, his losing run stretching back over 4 years; chased leaders, raced lazily, lost place after twelfth, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out.

BALLYNAGOUR (IRE) on first outing since leaving David Pipe after 9 months off, clearly wasn't 100% on the day, stopping quickly after 4 out having got into contention, reported to have bled which is a regular problem; he can't be backed with any confidence nowadays.

FOX APPEAL (IRE) went off too hard, leading until before the thirteenth, and he'd got very tired when pulled up before 2 out.

CAROLE'S DESTRIER seems to be going the wrong way; never travelling well, always behind; plenty to prove at present.