DONCASTER 16:05

All 11 ran.

Time: 1m 37.72s Closing Sectional: (3f): 37.35s (98.1%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 119%, Betfair SP 97.4%

The juvenile Group 1s in Britain and Ireland this autumn have been of a high standard, much less so this one, low even by race standards, capped by the fact there was little over a length separating the first 5 at the line, but the winner is definitely on the classic path for next year, and one or two others in the field will spring up all the more then, too; a fair pace quickened appreciably over 1f out, Western Australia and Circus Maximus teaming up for that move, briefly opening up a gap before those from the pack that were able enough got involved for the final 1f, the pace-pushing pair edging left - influenced in part by the strong crosswind - and shoving Magna Grecia across with a knock-on effect to Phoenix of Spain, resulting in a stewards enquiry, no doubt all the same who the best horse was.

MAGNA GRECIA (IRE) did it only narrowly and in a substandard renewal, but this is an instance where the end-of-year rating doesn't adequately tell his story, squeezing into a month what few 2-y-os manage in an entire season, only fortnights spacing his 3 races, going into the Autumn Stakes as a virtual novice and coming out of the scrap against Persian King with an extra edge that got him home on top here, under pressure to chase down the leaders over 2f out and responding all the time, pushed left while joining them (and in turn nudging Phoenix of Spain) but finding extra when it mattered, fostering the feeling that it wasn't quite the scramble for him that a finish of heads and necks makes out; regards the classics, this performance won't do much to reduce any temptation to try Ten Sovereigns in a Guineas, though Anthony Van Dyck is yet to complete his business for the year; he's one of very few at Ballydoyle by Invincible Spirit, whose best progeny have been sprinters or milers, Kingman amongst them, and Magna Grecia doesn't look in the mould of a Derby horse, albeit out of a Galileo mare (Cabaret) who got to 105 as a 2-y-o but failed to train on (still contested the Oaks).

PHOENIX OF SPAIN (IRE) excellent first season, though the promotional material reads rather better than the rating, getting closer to Too Darn Hot than any 2-y-o has and failing by only a head to win this Group 1, the Champagne hardly a real reflection of the relationship that day and landing on a fairly weak renewal here, giving Magna Grecia all he could handle (but only ¾l ahead of a 50/1 outsider at the line), getting a brief bump off him (effectively caused by others) while chellenging inside the final 1f, having come from further back, seeing out the trip strongly, opening a door to 1¼m next year, lining up for the big leagues, though the classics may be beyond his means.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA (IRE) big difference in him from the Autumn Stakes, measurable in real terms against Magna Grecia and Circus Maximus, much closer to the former and reversing placings with the latter, setting the pace but not a pacemaker as such, in it to win it himself, the fact he went just a fair gallop for the first half accentuating the advantage that a rush got him over 3f out, trying hard to the end, making the absolute most of his control of the race, dangerous to assume it flatters him given who he's with and how he's bred; in common with most of the Australias seen so far, it looks like he'll stay further next year.

CIRCUS MAXIMUS (IRE) by Galileo (unlike his stablemates ahead of him) and out of a mare who took off as a 3-y-o, making more progress (over further) in 2019 almost a certainty, in line with the way his first season has gone, reducing two-thirds of the deficit on Magna Grecia from the Autumn Stakes, Western Australia's jump getting him between them this time, to do with dictating, but Circus Maximus was second-best positioned, the first to chase him; all being well, he's bound to be reappearing in an early Derby trial.

GREAT SCOT made it this far without racing all that efficiently, 3 wins along the way, those habits persisting, clearly possessing a big engine to finish as close as he did, from so far back, anchored in rear but still keen to begin with, a sweep down the far flank (one step ahead of Phoenix of Spain) getting him virtually upsides ½f out.

KICK ON light on experience, coming straight out of maidens, hardly seeing a rival for his Newmarket win but held up this time, all part of the eductaion, and his naivety was exposed by the injection of pace over 3f out, unable to counter it, but pushing through it will do him plenty of good, his final 1f very encouraging, still closing come the line, a tough lesson learned rather than a sign of would-be stamina, not bred to get much further.

TURGENEV ran much the same race as Magna Grecia for 7f, making ground at the same time/rate, that one crossing him 1f out, Turgenev coming to the end of his tether then anyway, not at all the disappointment it might seem from his SP, as this was a big leap from novice company, as impressive as he'd been; he's got all the priviliges to regain the progressive thread as a 3-y-o, by Dubawi out of th 119-rated Tasaday, who was Group 1-placed at 1¼m/1½m for Godolphin, including on fast ground, something Turgenev is yet to face.

DASHING WILLOUGHBY simply found this too much at his stage, much like the winner from the conditions race at Newbury, never better than mid-field, outpaced over 1f out; it's possible this involvement will put him on the front foot for next year, when he should stay very well, by Nathaniel out of a 1½m winner.

KING OTTOKAR (FR) excusably overawed in a race like this for only his second start, no impact, though that he was set the task says something; Shoot For Gold was one of a few subsequent winners in his wake at Newbury, promise likely to be realised next year.

RAAKIB ALHAWA (IRE) strength in the market spoke volumes, but the climb was simply too steep, coming here straight from his debut win (when Dashing Willoughby was second), the task increased by being switched and dropped in behind from the start, never getting into the race, but it should still serve a purpose of sorts, having it all ahead of him next year.

KUWAIT CURRENCY (USA) had contested the Dewhurst, seemingly taking it out of him, as this was too bad to br true despite another stiff task, chasing the leader until losing his place quickly 3f out.