DONCASTER 15:35

All 22 ran.

Time: 1m 47.86s Closing Sectional: (2f): 28.35s (95.1%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 135%, Betfair SP 108.2%

The extra prize money on offer this year had the desired result, this a strong-looking renewal of the Lincoln, Migration hitting a level rarely seen in handicaps as he gave at least 5 lb to all his rivals, plenty of substance provided by those who chased him home as well, the second in particular appealing as one to note for the weeks ahead; lessons were learned from earlier on the card and the field raced in one group towards the stand-side rail, but it was still quite a clean race with no obvious hard-luck stories.

MIGRATION (IRE) has gone well fresh in the past and posted a very smart effort after 5 months off to defy top weight, helped by having a good-value claimer on board but still worth crediting with one of the best performances seen in this prestigious handicap in recent years; dropped out, travelled fluently, had to weave way through over 1f out, quickened to lead final 100 yds, won going away; he's disappointed both tries in listed company so far, but is clearly at a level where he can make an impact in that type of race, and probably even in a higher grade still.

AWAAL (IRE) had some strong form in a light 3-y-o campaign and ran a cracker after 5 months off (gelded in meantime), only going down to one who is better than a handicapper and really impressing with how he went through the race; close up, tanked along, led on bridle over 2f out, pushed along under 2f out, edged left 1f out, headed final 100 yds, no extra; this sets him up for what will surely be a productive campaign, appealing as just the type who will continue to progress and pick up one of these high-end handicaps, with pattern races likely to be on the agenda before the season is out.

BARADAR (IRE) underlined his effectiveness when the mud is flying, getting close to the level he showed when making a winning stable debut here last backend; slowly into stride, patiently ridden, smooth headway under 2f out, challenged over 1f out, no extra only late on; has finished down the field every time he's tackled good ground or firmer, which needs bearing in mind when the ground dries out, but he'll remain of interest up to this trip when getting these conditions.

MAJESTIC (IRE) was sent off a big price for one who signed off his 4-y-o campaign with a win in the Cambridgeshire, but ran well, just about matching the form of that Newmarket success; prominent, ridden 2f out, every chance approaching final 1f, ran on; he has a steadily progressive profile and should remain competitive.

AL MUBHIR didn't have the chance the market suggested, the form of his win at Haydock 6 months earlier having not really worked out, and he ran creditably on his first start since a breathing operation; mid-field, ridden under 3f out, headway around 2f out, one paced.

GREATGADIAN (GER) back on turf, shaped as if still in good form; raced off the pace, switched over 2f out, progress over 1f out, effort flattened out; there's already plenty of evidence that he's vulnerable off this sort of mark, though.

EMPIRESTATEOFMIND (IRE) claimer ridden, might have needed the run after 6 months off; prominent, ridden over 2f out, weakened final 1f; is a likeable type who ended last season still on the up, so will be of interest next time with this under his belt.

BOPEDRO (FR) wasn't disgraced after 5 months off; raced off the pace, ridden 3f out, kept on without threatening to get to the principals; he's no better than useful nowadays but his mark is starting to reflect that and he'll be of more interest back at a lesser level.

REVICH (IRE) needed the run in this contest on 6-y-o reappearance and it seemed a similar story this time around following a 5-month break, whilst he's also better on a sounder surface; raced off the pace, pushed along 3f out, headway under pressure 2f out, faded.

TOSHIZOU (IRE) without the usual tongue strap on first outing for 5 months/since leaving Joseph Patrick O'Brien for 22,000 gns, underperformed; mid-division, not quicken, always around same position; he's presumably been hard to train and is no banker to go the right way from this next time.

BOARDMAN is better judged on previous form, not really enjoying the rub of the green here; awkward leaving stalls, raced off the pace, hampered by weakening rival over 2f out and only really got in the clear in the final 1f, ran on.

ENCOURAGEABLE (IRE) is probably flying too high in this type of handicap and underperformed after 6 months off; mid-field, ridden 3f out, not quicken.

JIMI HENDRIX (IRE) looked rusty after 5 months off, having been gelded since last seen; mid-division, off the bridle long way out, plugged on; his form tailed off after a really promising start last year, though, so it's hard to know what to expect next time.

SAFE VOYAGE (IRE) has good form when fresh and on heavy ground but ran poorly after 6 months off; dwelt, always behind.

ATRIUM ended 3-y-o campaign on a high but failed in no uncertain terms to pick up where he left off 7 months on, the ground an obvious place to start when looking for excuses; mid-field, ridden over 2f out, not quicken, not persevered with once held.

HELM ROCK was well held after 6 months off; prominent, driven 3f out, weakened from 2f out; he'll be better off back down in grade.

EILEAN DUBH (IRE) on by far the softest ground he's encountered since coming to this country, went backwards from reappearance; close up, ridden under 3f out, dropped away.

YANIFER had shaped well on reappearance but underperformed here, the combination of trip, ground and forcing tactics perhaps too much for him; led, headed over 2f out, weakened.

MONTASSIB unproven on the ground and ran no sort of race in first-time tongue strap after 6 months off; raced off the pace, hung right around 2f out then looked awkward 1f out, never a threat.

WITCH HUNTER (FR) back on turf, was well held; mid-field, weakened from 2f out.

WANEES back in a hood, ran no sort of race after 6 months off, seeming unsuited by conditions; mid-field, raced freely, driven 3f out, weakening when hampered over 2f out, not persevered with once held.

CROUPIER (IRE) was well held after 6 months off, looking unsuited by conditions; prominent, raced freely, ridden 3f out, folded.