DONCASTER 15:25

All 8 ran. Fences: 18.

Time: 6m 3.45s Closing Sectional: (3.02f): 46.5s (97.1%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 113%, Betfair SP 101.5%

As veterans' handicaps go this form doesn't look too bad, the winner well treated and runner-up at the top of his game, whilst the likes of Alvarado and Shoegazer further down the field shaped with some promise; the pace was quite a good one.

AACHEN capitalised on a falling mark, 2 lb lower than for last win, but had to be back to his best to fend off a bang in form opponent; helped force pace, avoided mistakes, chased leader from seventh, jumped on twelfth, headed 3 out, rallied well, led again approaching last, held on gamely; he's not sure to be in the same form next time.

REAPING THE REWARD (IRE) hasn't had that much racing for one of his age and is better than ever this season, twice successful already and putting up a career best from 6 lb higher than when winning at Musselburgh 7 weeks ago; held up, travelled strongly, in touch tenth, produced to lead 3 out, headed approaching last, unable to reel back Aachen but kept on and pulled well clear of remainder.

IKORODU ROAD wasn't totally disgraced on form in the end but it was a moody performance and he's best treated with caution these days; chased leaders, raced indolently, lost touch after eleventh, stayed on after 3 out but was passing beaten/tired horses.

OSCAR TIME (IRE) ran respectably 11 weeks after winning the Becher Chase, from a 6 lb higher mark here; held up, mistake first, untidy tenth, went prominent eleventh, held after 3 out, one paced; he's hit the frame on both starts in the Grand National and, despite his advancing years, that's the target for him again this spring.

ALVARADO (IRE) has the Grand National as his main traget, fourth in that race when last seen 11 months ago, and was ridden with an eye on other days here, the test not enough for him either, all in all doing enough to suggest he retains his ability; dropped out, took keen hold, struggling twelfth, never threatened but finished with running left.

ROBBIE possibly failed to stay 4f longer trip than he'd tried before over fences and didn't have that hard a race once held; tracked pace, lost place eleventh, no further impression.

SHOEGAZER (IRE) was strong in the betting and hinted at a revival even though finishing well held, in the mix most of the way faced with a test which probably stretches him (has winning form around 3m but seems ideally suited by shorter); chased leaders, weakened between last 2, hit last, no extra; he is potentially well handicapped on old form.

BURTON PORT (IRE) disputed lead, went on before seventh, headed twelfth, behind when fell heavily 4 out, fatally injured.