DONCASTER 15:35 5x4t6q

Non Runners: AWAAL (IRE), BASS PLAYER (IRE).

Time: 1m 44s Closing Sectional: (2f): 26.7s (97.4%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 131%, Betfair SP 102.6%

This was one of the lower quality renewals of the Lincoln in recent years - it was the first time since Bravery in 2017 that a smart performance wasn't required to win - and it's a race to pick out individual pieces of promise rather than view as solid form in its own right, the favourite returning lame and Liberty Lane flopping, whilst due to the headwind there was a positional bias at play too, as with the Spring Mile earlier on the card, the finish dominated by those who came from mid-field or further back; incidentally, the field raced as 2 groups until merging around halfway, stalls 15-22 coming a bit more to the stand side, but there seemed little advantage either way.

MR PROFESSOR (IRE) back under a fully-fledged rider (was claimer ridden all starts for current yard in 2023) and over a shorter trip than he usually tackles, produced a caeer best on the back of a 4-month break to spring a surprise; mid-field, travelled fluently, good headway over 2f out, produced to lead over 1f out, edged right final 1f, stayed on well; he's won on a sound surface but does seem particularly well suited to soft/heavy ground.

LATTAM (IRE) really took the eye beforehand on first outing for 5 months/since leaving William Haggas (sold for 50,000 gns) and, without the headgear he wore on final 4-y-o start, added to a good record when fresh (won Irish equivalent on reappearance last year); dwelt, waited with, travelled well, effort around 2f out, kept going well; he possesses plenty of physical scope and hasn't that much racing for his age, so it wouldn't be a surprise if he were able to reach a smart level of form this year, not much more required for him to win another of these valuable pots.

NAVAGIO (IRE) had been sold from R. P. Cody for 47,000 gns since last seen 8 months earlier and, without any of the various equipment he wore last year, ran a cracker, all the more promising given he looked beforehand as if the run would bring him on; in rear, had to weave way through over 1f out, hampered entering final 1f, ran on; he's one to be interested in next time.

ALPHA CRUCIS (IRE) faced a stiff task after 5 months off (2 lb out of the weights), but ran creditably with a 7-lb claimer taking over in the saddle; mid-field, progress around 2f out, kept on for hands-and-heels ride; he was largely progressive at 3 yrs and there are more races to be won with him this year at a slightly lesser level.

CHAZZESMEE (IRE) under a penalty for winning the Irish equivalent 5 days earlier, was strong in the betting (no horse has been sent off a shorter price in this race this century) but wasn't in quite the same form, a second run on bad ground in such a short space of time perhaps taking the edge off him, though it was also reported post race that he returned lame; waited with, headway over 2f out, pushed along soon after, not quicken final 1f; he's had a productive time of things when making it to the track in the last year or so and could have more to offer, so he'll remain of interest.

SPIRIT GENIE (IRE) ran respectably after 4 months off and may have got a bit closer had the gaps come sooner, though the likelihood is that he'll need his sights lowering if he's to add to his tally, not well enough treated to take a race of this nature; in rear, short of room over 2f out, progress under 2f out, effort flattened out.

THUNDER BALL shaped well after 5 months off, impressing with how he went through this but asked for his effort sooner than ideal (fared best of those ridden prominently); prominent, travelled as well as any, led under 2f out, tackled soon after, headed over 1f out, bumped soon after, no extra final 1f, he's building up a decent record in these top-end handicaps and is one to look out for.

THE GATEKEEPER (IRE) might have needed the run after 5 months off, whilst his usual tactics placed him at a disadvantage the way this unfolded; close up, weakened over 1f out, ridden too aggressively; likely to be much closer to form next time.

CHUZZLEWIT was up against it carrying a penalty for winning a small-field race on all-weather, but underperformed back on turf in any case; mid-field, raced freely, pushed along over 2f out, not quicken.

ONE NIGHT THUNDER probably needed the run after 4 months off; led group, pushed along 3f out, went on overall soon after, headed under 2f out, faded over 1f out; he didn't need many runs to reach a useful level as a 3-y-o and should be closer to that sort of form next time.

PARLANDO didn't take the eye beforehand, sweating and still in his winter coat, despite a spell out in Bahrain, and ran poorly; slowly into stride, mid-field, pushed along halfway, lost place soon after, kept on again final 1f to a few beaten rivals.

DUTCH DECOY was below form after 6 months off; raced off the pace, ridden when hung left under 2f out, never landed a blow; he took a big step forward from his reappearance last year, though, so can be expected to do better next time.

LIBERTY LANE (IRE) looked to tick plenty of boxes beforehand, largely progressive at 3 yrs and gelded since last seen 6 months earlier (often races freely), but proved to be a disappointment; mid-field, ridden 3f out, not quicken, made little impression; he has the scope to do better still this year as he fills his frame and is worth another chance.

FARHH TO SHY needed the run after 6 months off; mid-field, didn't go with her usual fluency and pushed along over 3f out, never dangerous.

HIERONYMUS under a penalty, found run of good form coming to a halt returned to turf, conditions perhaps a bit softer than ideal; helped force pace, headed 3f out, weakened from 2f out.

VETIVER ran poorly after 5 months off, on her toes beforehand then keen in the race itself; mid-division, raced freely, weakened from 2f out.

BLUES EMPEROR (IRE) ran no sort of race after 6 months off, to the extent that all may not have been well; helped force pace, driven 3f out, weakened soon after.

REVICH (IRE) showed nothing after 5 months off; always behind; this will serve the purpose of getting him down the weights a bit, though, with the Chester May meeting a little over a month away.

JOHAN has won a big pot on his reappearance for the last 2 years, including this race in 2022, but failed in no uncertain to make it a hat-trick, running poorly after 6 months off; close up, raced freely, switched around halfway, beaten when not clear run under 2f out.

MIGRATION (IRE) in first-time tongue strap after 4 months off; refused to race; he's reportedly been retired.