DONCASTER 15:45

Non Runners: GREAT BEDWYN.

Time: 2m 42.33s Closing Sectional: (4f): 55.3s (98.7%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 135%, Betfair SP 100.2%

Another strong edition of the turf season finale, all 5 of those starting at single-figure odds either unexposed or still progressing, as was the case with a few others to boot, together with some regulars in big handicaps, therefore worth viewing positively the quartet who came clear and, in particular, a winner who was ultimatley miles better than the rest - since Litigant routed his field to win this in 2015 there hadn't been a winning margin of 2 lengths let alone more than double that.

CASTLE COVE (IRE) had been threatening a bigger performance since beating Grey Cuban - a dual handicap winner since - at Chester, and delivered it in spades with a first-time hood applied after 7 weeks off under a fine ride, a good test at this trip looking right up his street; steadied at the start, patiently ridden, smooth headway from 4f out while gradually angling to the outside, led over 1f out, wandered briefly soon after but went clear emphatically; just 8 runs into his career, it's a good bet his trainer can get more out of him next year, and perhaps he's even the heir apparent to his stablemate Hamish to target at all those listed and minor pattern races when the ground is testing.

MISS DOLLY ROCKER ran a cracker having left Daniel & Claire Kubler and joined a trainer really making a name for herself; prominent, travelled fluently, went on well over 2f out, headed over 1f out, left behind by winner but quite comfortably on top of rest; she's versatile with regards conditions but is particularly effective when the ground is very deep.

ATHERSTONE WARRIOR (IRE) backed up the form of his Newbury win, more on his plate in this company from a mark 9 lb higher, even under a rider who is good value for his claim, staying the longer trip without improving for it at the first attempt, though this did come just 2 weeks after Newbury and he's still low mileage, just the type his canny yard can eke more out of next year; in touch, chased leaders 4f out, challenged over 2f out, kept on.

MAXI KING (IRE) ran very creditably, particuarly as he was 3 wide throughout without cover whereas the trio who beat him all spent much (or all) of the race on the inside rail; in touch out wide, went with zest, close up under 4f out, led briefly under 3f out, bit outpaced over 2f out, stayed on final 1f; he's always been talented but has added consistency to his repertoire this year.

STRESSFREE (FR) must be a pleasure to own, rarely missing a suitable assignment (the 7 weeks he'd had off prior to this much the longest break he's had this year since his reappearance) and virtually always running his race, going a couple of places better than in the race last year; raced wide, held up, switched among horses under 4f out (winner plotted the opposite in-to-out route from a similar position), stayed on gradually.

LORD MELBOURNE (IRE) ran respectably without being seen to best effect, though a 9 lb rise for his reappearance success had rather thrown a spanner in the works in his bid to win this race for a second year in a row; chased leaders, hampered 4f out, short of room again from 3f out, plugged on when finally in clear.

CASTLE STUART (IRE) wasn't disgraced at all considering he went with too much verve stepping up 2f in trip and back on very testing ground; handy, took strong hold, still tanking when went to front 4f out, headed under 3f out, edged left 2f out, faded; he could be worth continuing with on the all-weather, perhaps more to come at this sort of trip away from the mud.

MILLER SPIRIT (IRE) back up in grade and again under this very promising young claimer, looked more of a threat for a long way than he ultimately proved; mid-field, smooth headway over 3f out, hung left soon after, no extra over 1f out.

HOPEWELL ROCK (IRE) was a tad underwhelming (winner on soft ground at 2 yrs), acknowledging he did meet trouble more than once; mid-division, no room 4f out and forced to switch, bit short of room again under 3f out, effort flattened out somewhat.

TASHKHAN (IRE) isn't the force of old and seemingly isn't even as good as he was last year, acknowledging even this was an inadequate test for a dour stayer; dwelt, raced off the pace, struggling 3f out, merely closed up late.

HOT FUSS (IRE) looked rusty after 6 months off returning without any headgear; mid-field, effort around 4f out, lost place 3f out, merely plugged on; should come on for the run and will have options both on the all-weather and over hurdles now.

INSANITY has winning form in the mud but at a much lower level and maybe doesn't ideally want it this testing, for all having his momentum stemmed at a key stage was plainly no help; mid-field, headway when denied a run 4f out, faded from 2f out.

MASTER VINTNER (IRE) gave the impression when ploughing through the mud to win at Goodwood that he'd be an interesting contender in this, but his inexperience shone through in such a demanding environment; chased leaders, not settle fully, shuffled back around 4f out, no threat after; remains capable of better at 4 yrs.

ADJUVANT (IRE) after 7 weeks off, ran one of lesser races, not that this is too tricky to forgive; raced wide and off the pace, brief headway around 4f out, effort proved short-lived.

ONEFORTHEGUTTER who'd been a good third in this last year, didn't arrive in quite the same form after 7 weeks off, having struggled since winning at the July Festival, but ran poorly even so, his finishing effort very tame for one fully effective over longer trips; slowly into stride, raced off the pace out wide, progress over 4f out, in touch 3f out, faltered under 2f out.

GREY CUBAN shaped like this was just one run too many at the end of a busy and productive season; led until 4f out, dropped away 3f out.

METIER (IRE) a former winner of this off a similar absence (7 months), shaped as if needing the run this time though the jury's firmly out over how much ability remains now that he's rising 10; raced off the pace, shaken up under 5f out, left behind 3f out; no longer worth a rating on Flat.

PLATOON (IRE) under far more testing conditions, fared no better at all with the tongue strap quickly dispensed with; missed the break, raced well off the pace, came wide straight, hung left 3f out, made no impression.

MAJESTIC (IRE) was never on terms but probably doesn't want the ground like this and will see his mark fall further with another trip to Bahrain likely in the offing (winner there off 94 last winter).

CHEMISTRY (IRE) back in headgear, ran no sort of race back in a handicap; prominent, took keen hold, dropped away from over 4f out, buffeted around and causing trouble to several as he did.

MASTER BUILDER after 7 weeks off, ran even worse, well down the field just as he had been in this race last year; raced off the pace, struggling 3f out, never dangerous.

TIERNAN (IRE) ran no sort of race whatsoever in first-time tongue strap after 11 weeks off, the obvious conclusion being he was simply unable to handle such testing conditions; mid-division out wide, lost place 4f out, not persevered with once held.