DONCASTER 15:35 2w3738

Non Runners: MISTRAL STAR. Race Distance Adjustment: +18 yds

Time: 3m 7.09s Closing Sectional: (2f): 24.95s (102.7%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 114%, Betfair SP 99.6%

With doubts about whether last year's winner Sumo Sam was as good as she was, this looked a slightly substandard Park Hill, but one of the 3-y-os managed to find quite a bit of improvement and produced an effort up to scratch for the race, her victory a fifth in a row for the age group; the pace was sound enough, the leaders kicking on in the straight.

NAKHEEL (FR) had been generally progressive and showed much improved form on her first try in pattern company, the fitting of cheekpieces making a big difference, while she looked well suited by the longer trip as well; tracked pace, travelled well, close up 3f out, led under pressure over 1f out, kept on well, kept up to work; she doesn't have any further pattern entries at the moment, though hopefully connections can find a suitable race for her to confirm this improvement.

NIGHT SPARKLE (IRE) continued her run of creditable efforts in defeat, runner-up at pattern level for the fourth time this year; held up, effort over 2f out, took second well inside final 1f, kept on well, no impression on winner.

GRATEFUL (IRE) did best of the 4 entries in the Fillies & Mares, running her race but looking beaten fair and square, one flash of the tail under the whip; tracked pace, travelled well, led over 2f out, headed over 1f out, not quicken, no extra late on.

SCENIC (FR) ran about as well as could have been expected back in pattern company, needing no excuses; mid-division, effort 3f out, chased leaders over 1f out, effort flattened out.

SUMO SAM was below form trying to repeat her win of last year, easy to back and with signs that she's just not the force she was, her finish not there after she'd had the run of things; led, went with zest, shaken up over 3f out, wandered, headed over 2f out, weakened final 1f.

AMBIENTE AMIGO up markedly in trip, ran about as well as could have been expected upped in grade, though she didn't entirely convince with her stamina (likely to benefit from return to shorter); soon steadied, took keen hold, shaken up over 3f out, faded over 1f out, never on .

OXFORD COMMA (IRE) upped markedly in trip and up in grade, was strong in the betting after 3 months off, but failed to find the expected improvement, not seeing the race out after taking a while to get any cover (sweating beforehand); mid-division, raced freely out wide first 3f, shaken up 4f out, left behind over 2f out.

GATHER YE ROSEBUDS backed at long odds, was well held in first-time hood after 4 months off, sweating a touch and on her toes beforehand, perhaps not in a state to do herself justice; slowly into stride, in rear, labouring early in straight, left behind soon after.

SWEET MEMORIES (IRE) upped markedly in trip and without the cheekpieces she'd worn last time, was well held, dropping out as if all might not have been well; close up early, tracked pace after, ridden over 3f out, weakened quickly 2f out.