DONCASTER 15:35

All 22 ran.

Time: 1m 37.34s Closing Sectional: (2.00f): 25.25s (96.4%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 133%, Betfair SP 100.1%

The first big handicap of the turf season, the market largely dominated by lightly-raced 4-y-os, horses of that age having won every running since 2015, that sequence broken by one that ironically had left the trainer of the favourite since his last run, his performance a smart one, though some of those lower down the weights rarely get in to this race these days, the bottom weight off just 87, the first time in 20 years that one so lowly rated has made the field, the form perhaps not so strong as would be expected at this level; the race turned a little too much on draw and tactics, too, a low number and a prominent position clearly seeming an advantage, the third doing very well in the circumstances.

JOHAN on first outing since leaving William Haggas after 5 months off, proved better than ever, though seen to advantage, both by position and draw; prominent, travelled well, shaken up over 2f out, led 1f out, kept on well, won readily; he's run to a high enough level to earn himself another crack at listed company, but whether he can repeat this form next time is questionable, bearing in mind there was a conditional element to the display.

SALEYMM (IRE) who'd had a breathing operation since last seen 4 months earlier, carried over the progression he made on all-weather last backend to the turf, going as if still ahead of his mark for a long way; led, went with zest, kicked on 3f out, headed 1f out, kept on; this was just his fifth start, and only his second in handicap company, so the percentage call is that there's better to come.

ROGUE BEAR (IRE) shaped encouragingly, in a much better handicap than the 2 he won in the autumn, unlike those around him coming from off the pace and from the high-drawn runners; hampered start, in rear, took keen hold, effort over 2f out, kept on well final 1f, nearest at the finish; open to further improvement and one to be interested in.

IRISH ADMIRAL (IRE) ran well in first-time tongue strap after 6 months off, though was well positioned and well drawn, so seen to good effect; prominent, travelled well, ridden over 2f out, not quicken, hung right over 1f out, stayed on again well inside final 1f.

BROKEN SPEAR in a higher grade than usual, had the headgear refitted and seemed to excel himself despite looking stretched by the trip late on, perhaps paying the price for starting his challenge from a bit further back than most of those around him; slowly into stride, waited with, effort 3f out, not quicken, headway under 2f out and went third over 1f out, no extra final 100 yds.

EAGLEWAY (FR) second in the Victoria Cup last spring, ran another good race in a contest of this type, though he was well positioned the way things developed; tracked pace, not settle fully, ridden over 2f out, not quicken, kept on inside final 1f.

MODERN NEWS ran respectably with promising 7 lb claimer aboard, though he might have seen things out better, given he'd had a run, the extra 1f perhaps just catching him out; held up, effort over 3f out, chased leaders 2f out, not quicken final 1f.

BRUNCH ran creditably after 6 months off, 4 lb higher than when runner-up last year and enhancing his solid record in races of this type; mid-division, ridden over 2f out, not quicken, plugged on final 1f.

NOTRE BELLE BETE back on turf, ran respectably under a penalty for his Wolverhampton win, not ideally drawn; mid-division, outpaced halfway, plugged on approaching final 1f, never on terms.

SAFE VOYAGE (IRE) having his first run in a handicap since April 2019, is still on a stiff enough mark and he shaped quite encouragingly, given the draw and tactics as well; patiently ridden, not settle fully, ridden 3f out, outpaced, headway over 1f out, effort flattened out.

ANOTHER BATT (IRE) ran respectably after 5 months off, likely to find less demanding tasks more agreeable; held up, pushed along soon after halfway, headway over 2f out, no extra inside final 1f, never on terms.

MUJTABA looked to have obvious credentials for a yard with an excellent record in the race, having looked potentially better than a handicapper in winning his 3 races last year, but he disappointed, well drawn and well enough positioned to land a blow; in touch, headway 3f out, ridden over 2f out, not quicken, no extra inside final 1f; he's clearly still at an early stage of his career and is a likely sort to bounce back.

HORTZADAR had finished third in this last year, but wasn't in such good heart subsequently and there wasn't much sign of a revival after 6 months off; steadied at the start, held up, shaken up 3f out, kept on gradually, no extra inside final 1f.

TEODOLINA (IRE) hadn't been seen since finishing down the field in the Sandringham and was below form after 9 months off; in touch, ridden 3f out, made little impression.

REVICH (IRE) was below form after 6 months off, probably just high enough in the weights for a race this competitive; prominent, took keen hold, ridden 3f out, lost place soon after.

WHAT'S THE STORY was below form after 9 months off, starting this year as he had ended last; held up, not settle fully, not clear run 3f out, ridden after, hung left, made no impression.

DARKNESS (FR) was a bit of an unknown quantity from a yard that does well with French imports, but he was below form on first outing since leaving Jean-Claude Rouget for €70,000, despite looking to have done plenty of work after 10 months off; held up, labouring halfway.

FAME AND ACCLAIM (IRE) who'd had a breathing operation, was below form after 6 months off, both draw and tactics counting against him; held up, shaken up 3f out, made no impression.

UNITED FRONT (USA) couldn't transfer his good all-weather form back to turf, despite a significantly lower mark; chased leaders, ridden halfway, weakened over 2f out.

SCOTTISH SUMMIT (IRE) typically found this level too competitive, still 3 lb above his last winning mark too; in touch, chased leaders 3f out, weakened over 1f out.

MARIE'S DIAMOND (IRE) busy in Dubai early in the year, was well held back in Britain; chased leaders, shaken up 3f out, weakened 2f out.

AMETIST well backed, having run so well in the Cambridgeshire when last seen, was amiss after 6 months off; held up, shaken up halfway, dropped away 2f out, reportedly bled.