THE turf season in Britain was only 59.5secs old and we acclaimed our first Royal Ascot-bound two-year-old as Persian Force (98+) (below) produced an outstanding performance on the clock in the Brocklesby Stakes.

Looking back over the last two decades, only one other winner of the Doncaster event has broken the minute barrier with Hearts Of Fire achieving the rare feat on good to firm ground. The ground on Town Moor on Saturday was described as good to soft!

Rossa Ryan allowed his mount to go forward as he gathered stride quickly and, after travelling strongly, he eased clear to clock a time-figure more in keeping with what you’d expect from a classic bound two-year-old in the end of season Group 1 contests.

Furthermore, the son of Mehmas covered the closing three furlongs in 33.8secs, which was a full second quicker than Volatile Analyst (108) (34.8secs) took in the Cammidge trophy.

There is obviously the concern of the principals recoiling at such a huge effort on their first racecourse appearance, but there is no doubting their achievements on debut.

The data posted by fourth-home Mascapone (89+) is the most interesting of the placed horses as, despite being green throughout, the Adrian Nicholls-trained juvenile also closed off faster than Keith Dalgleish’s listed race winner as he stopped the clock at 34.6secs for the final three furlongs.

Johan best

The Lincoln was the fastest overall time-figure of the day as Johan (111) produced a career best performance on debut for Mick Channon. The sectionals point to the son of Zoffany staying best of those who raced prominently as his closing sectional of 36.9secs was the slowest of the races on the straight track.

It also appeared to be an advantage to be drawn low as only one of the first seven home emerged from higher than stall nine, that individual was Rogue Bear (108) whose effort can therefore be upgraded.

Tom Clover’s four-year-old was last of the group who raced stands’ side before finishing strongly into third courtesy of a closing sectional of 36.5secs.

I would also highlight the performance of Arthur’s Realm (91) in the Spring Mile as the overall time was in close enough proximity to the Doncaster Mile and the Lincoln to validate his closing effort of 36.0secs being good for the grade.

A Boy Named Ivy (89) matched the achievement of his conqueror in finishing second and should be noted when running at Thirsk where he twice performed with distinction last season.

The best of the round track races over the extended mile-and-a-quarter appears to be Sandyman (80) based on the overall times.

However, in what turned out to be a slow-motion finish, the winner covered the concluding sectional in 38.1secs as he held on grimly after making all the running.

Conversely, the slowest of the overall times saw the fastest finish and likely the most interesting horse going forwards in the form of Groundbreaker (91+).

David Probert eased his mount down in the closing stages after his sharp turn of foot saw him finish his race off in 34.8secs from the three-furlong marker.