DONCASTER FRIDAY

RICHARD Hannon had no complaints after the opening Group 2 Aer Lingus From Doncaster Sheffield Flying Childers Stakes because 7/4 favourite Gutaifan led a furlong out and just held on from Ornate, while stable-companion Log Out Island led early and kept on to such purpose that he was right behind in third.

Ger Lyons’ Bear Cheek never quite went the early pace but kept on well in fourth and will win more good races.

A grey son of the prolific Dark Angel, Gutaifan was undoubtedly the form horse, having won the Group 2 Prix Robert Papin before finishing second in the Prix Morny at the highest level. He might have been expected to win this a shade more comfortably but, having taken it up for Frankie Dettori in the Al Shaqab colours, he was all out to hold Ornate and Pat Cosgrave, the runner-up appreciating faster ground than he encountered at York.

FAST HORSE

Log Out Island looked a very fast horse indeed back in the spring and returned to his best, running very fast and keeping on well when headed.

“He did it well and deserved it,” Hannon said. “He’s a tough, likeable two-year-old and it’s just a pity he’s around in the same year as John Gosden’s Shalaa, who races in the same colours and beat him at Deauville. He probably needs six furlongs now.”

Always straightforward in his observations, Hannon was clearly delighted with the result but did not anticipate a different result if the pair should meet again in the Middle Park at Newmarket.

The Listed Scotsman Stakes saw a good performance from the Big Bad Bob two-year-old Tashweeq in the Hamdan Al Maktoum colours. Another good prospect for John Gosden, he fought off Haalick to win going away under Paul Hanagan and justified 15/8 favouritism.

There were local celebrations when former Group 1 winner Hoof It came back to form for Chubby Chandler and Mick Easterby in the six furlong handicap.

It has been a rewarding meeting for Jamie Spencer, who followed Thursday’s double with a smooth victory on David Simcock’s Curbyourenthusiasm, who came from last to first and thoroughly enjoyed himself over the full St Leger distance in the Mallard Handicap.

A son of Mastercraftsman, the 7/1 shot kept on too strongly for the lightly-raced Battersea with outsider Noble Silk taking the minor honours. The step-up in trip helped the winner, who has another staying handicap in him if the assessor does not overreact.

The final handicap saw a good battle with Roger Varian’s American Artist fighting of Godolphin’s Super Kid to give Andrea Atzeni a double.