DONCASTER 15:15

Non Runners: SEEKING MAGIC, JAMAICAN BOLT (IRE), COUNTER RIDGE (SAF).

Time: 1m 1.05s

It's not unusual for a large-field sprint like this to be influenced to some extent by the draw and that seemed to be the case here, those that raced further towards the far side from lower numbers seeming at an advantage, Demora the only one drawn high to be involved in the finish, and she even hung left and ended up further across the track.

DUNGANNON won this race from just a 1 lb lower mark 12 months ago and proved better than ever to win it more emphatically this time around, a campaign that's perhaps being geared around the autumn paying off now as he's clearly thriving at a point in the year when others are going off the boil; raced far side, waited with, smooth headway 2f out, led final 100 yds, kept going well.

AJJAADD (USA) has had a good second half of the season and ran right up to his best from a career-high mark here, admittedly with a good-value claiming rider easing the burden; raced far side, tracked pace, travelled strongly, led over 1f out, headed final 100 yds, one paced.

DEMORA whose last run is easily excused, wasted no time getting back to form and did well under the circumstances, the only one drawn high to be involved in the finish; raced near side, forced pace, went with zest, headed over 1f out, edged left, kept on; she's still to be tried at listed/Group level against her own sex and would probably be up to winning such a race if given the opportunity, whilst on this evidence she could yet land a big 5f handicap.

CONFESSIONAL hasn't had many off days this season, rarely beaten far, and again ran creditably, but he is hard to win with; raced far side, close up, every chance over 1f out, kept on.

LANCELOT DU LAC (ITY) is becoming well handicapped and shaped well after 4 months off, leaving the impression the run will just sharpen him up; raced far side, in touch, loomed up over 1f out, not quicken inside final 1f; he did well on polytrack late last year, so no surprise to see him campaigned on that surface again, and is one to note.

GOLDEN STEPS (FR) looks favourably handicapped and again caught the eye, dropping to 5f catching him out; raced far side but well off the pace, headway under pressure 2f out, stayed on strongly, nearest at the finish; there's potential in him next season and he's a horse to follow, just the sort to win one of the big 6f handicap prizes.

STEPS (IRE) claimer ridden, shaped as if back in form but a tendency to miss the break has become more apparent this season; awkward leaving stalls, raced far side, headway 2f out, stayed on, never nearer.

GLADIATRIX showed speed and some enthusiasm to race close up on the far side but weakened in the final 1f as her stiff mark and the level of competition told; she is eligible for some much less competitive races.

KICKBOXER (IRE) shaped as if still in good form, not seen to best effect; raced near side, held up, headway over 1f out, never a threat but wasn't well placed.

MEGALEKA is used to lower-grade handicaps and basically found this too competitive; raced far side, in touch, ridden halfway, faded.

PETERKIN (IRE) wasn't seen to best effect for second start in a row; raced near side, prominent, pushed along 2f out, one paced, not well placed.

DOC HAY (USA) after just 5 days off, wasn't in same form as last time even if track position wasn't ideal; dwelt, raced stand side, soon under pressure, never landed a blow.

BALLESTEROS was below form and is a hard horse to catch right; raced centre, prominent, weakened approaching final 1f.

MAGICAL MACEY (USA) hasn't fired all season but can't be totally dismissed given how far mark has dropped and, not for the first time of late, she found herself on the wrong part of the track from a high draw here, albeit not lasting long enough in a prominent position to blame that alone.

ELUSIVITY (IRE) shaped better than distance beaten suggests; raced near side, mid-division, headway after halfway, effort flattened out, not well placed.

ANCIENT CROSS failed to build on minor promise of last run; dwelt, always behind.

SLEEPY SIOUX run best excused; hampered start, always behind.

VIVA VERGLAS (IRE) continues below form; dived left leaving stalls, off the bridle before most, made no impression.

B FIFTY TWO (IRE) clearly wasn't 100% on the day; chased leaders, folded tamely after halfway, eased off.