The midway point of the racing year has soon arrived and the end of June would see a run of the mill meeting at Doncaster on a Friday afternoon. There may not be any illustrious races up for grabs or current stars strutting their stuff, but it gave an opportunity for some of racing's lesser lights to shine. The feature race would be one for stayers with a fourteen furlong contest with the support act led by a novice race for two year olds, contests like this are always worth following at Doncaster. Elsewhere, the straight track would see the most use with a few sprint handicaps as well as a rare sighting of the round mile course, with the stalls hidden away on the top bend. 

Race One: The Cam Fork Lifts Trucks 30th Anniversary Handicap - Class Five - Six Furlongs - Runners: 9

The action would get underway with this well contested handicap over the straight six furlongs for older horses. There would be little to seperate the runners in terms of ratings and this £8,500 prize saw a competitive field. Last year, Golden Duke would cause a surprise by winning at long odds under jockey Duran Fentiman for trainer Nigel Tinkler.

The racecard was set be headed by the the Chris Dwyer-trained Epic Express, but he was doubly declared at Yarmouth later in the afternoon and connections opted to go closer to home. That left the role of top weight to Dandy Dinmont, who was saddled by last year's winning stable of Nigel Tinkler He has been a regular at this level who possesses ability. The former Doncaster winner has been running well in defeat this season. The Richard Fahey-trained Minnesota Lad has gone slightly backwards since his useful juvenile season, but has gone well at Doncaster in the past, so a return here could bring some improvement. Bright found a jolt of improvement for moving to Mark Loughnane's stable and won twice during the winter. Since then, he has looked awkward back on turf. Delagate This Lord has been a staple at Bath racecourse over the years and eight of his nine wins have come at the Southern track. Now at the age of ten, he made his debut for the Roger Fell and Sean Murray stable. The Newmarket based stable of James Fanshawe sent up the lightly raced Master Dandy for this contest and the gelding won for the first time back in November. He ran with credit on his only turf run to date last time out. Crypto Quest won on seasonal debut a year ago but was down the order in this race last year. Since joining the Gemma Tutty yard, he has gone close on two occasions this year. Tim Easterby's Havana Pursuit didn't make his debut until July last year but quickly won twice in his first season. The four year old would need to improve on a low key seasonal reappearance. The "tv celebrity" Showtime Mahomes lined up at Doncaster for trainer Grant Tuer and has found a habit for finishing fifth recently. The Paul Midgley-trained J R Cavagin completed the line up and last won in September last year, but posted his best effort since then when third at Redcar last time out. 

Winner: MINNESOTA LAD (#3) (Sioux Nation x Lady Sandy) - B. Garritty - R. Fahey

As soon as the gates opened, the eye was drawn to J R Cavagin, who had reared up spectacularly for a brief moment. He would make jockey David Nolan a surprise and a rough ride, but thankily the pair continued for the race ahead. The early pace would be no more than sensible as Crypto Quest would bring the field along in the opening stages. Despite the acrobatic getaway, J R Cavagin held a prominent position next to the keen going Dandy Dinmont, Minnesota Lad and Havana Pursuit. 
The race would begin to heat up at the two furlong pole as Showtime Mahomes moved powerfully into contention and was joined by Minnesota Lad and Bright who still had plenty of work to do. The Richard Fahey-trained Minnesota Lad showed a nice change of gear to nose in front of Showtime Mahomes, but he wouldn't back down from the fight. The pair moved clear of the rest and at the line, it would be Minnesota Lad who gained the verdict over Showtime Mahomes with Bright keeping on into a never threatening third. Crypto Quest would hang on gamely to a respectable fourth place. 

It would be a second career win for the four-year-old son of Sioux Nation and his first since August 2022. His sliding handicap rating allowed him to strike following some good runs in defeat and not finishing far away in the past. With his apparent ability to handle most ground conditions, it wouldn't surprise to see Minnesota Lad continue to run well throughout the rest of the season.

Race Two: The Anthony Fletcher Takepayments EBF Novice Stakes - Class Four - Seven Furlongs - 2-Y-O Only - Runners: 6

Races of this nature at Doncaster have a hit and miss strike rate for producing above average winners over the years, but the flat and galloping nature of the course is a good test for a newcomer. As July approaches, the horses bred for a mile and slightly further begin to appear on track, so there would be some fancy pedigrees on show here. This seven furlong contest has been revealed a handful of subsequent smart types, including 2019's winner Thunderous, who went on to win a Dante Stakes. Last year, the debut runner up Bigbertiebassett came clear of his rivals, but has since failed to progress. 

The class of 2024 would be headed by Consolidation. His owners Wathnan Racing had a great Royal Ascot meeting and their colours were paraded by Ralph Beckett's colt who debuted a fortnight ago and managed an eye-catching sixth at Sandown. The Juddmonte silks were also present and were carried by another John and Thady Gosden debutant, Field Of Gold. The grey colt's pedigree stretches back to a Group One winner from a few years ago. Another Newmarket trained newcomer would be James Fanshawe's Glittering Legend, who is related the briliant Golden Horn. Yet more illustrious owners were represented as Qatar Racing's New Century joined the line up. Andrew Balding's colt finished a promising fourth on debut at Lingfield at the start of the month. Kevin Ryan produced a Royal Ascot winning juvenile last week and saddled U S Grant to make his debut here. The local yard's colt is a half brother to their high class juvenile Astaire. Legendary trainer Sir Michael Stoute has started to introduced his juveniles in the past few weeks and the colt Wiltshire Lad would potentially be one to improve with time. 

Winner: NEW CENTURY (#4) (Kameko x Potent Embrace) - O. Murphy - A. Balding 
Just six runners went to post in this contest, which detracted some of the interest from the opening entry stage, but remained a highly fascinating contest nonetheless. The grey newcomer Field of Gold showed signs of edginess in the stalls on her first day at school, but once she settled, the race got underway. 
Consolidation would be sharpest away from the gates and was ridden into an early lead. Field of Gold and Wiltshire Lad would be a shade slow out of their stall, which left New Century and U S Grant to sit on the tail of Consolidation. The two leaders used their previous experience to race comfortably within themselves and soon, the race would be decided between them. New Century nosed in front a furlong out, but Consolidation fought back. Field Of Gold wandered off a straight line in the final stages, but kept on well enough, but had to settle for third. Approaching the line, New Century began to extend his advantage and passed the judge just over two lengths over Consolidation for a comfortable first success.

It would be a smart performance by New Century, who loses his maiden tag at the second time of asking. The colt is a son of first season sire Kameko, the former 2000 Guineas winner who recorded his fifth individual winning offspring. His first crop were keenly waited by owners Qatar Racing, who held plenty of affinity for Kameko and New Century looks set to carry their colours in a higher grade. He is a half brother to the seven time winner Passion And Glory, a talented gelding who won a Group Three as well as placing in a Group One race. With plenty of leading stables and owners represented, this looked a hot race and the future form will be closely scrutinised. 

Race Three: The Marie Mills Takepayments Handicap - Class Six - Six Furlongs - Runners:11

The action would return to six furlongs, this time with a three-year-olds only handicap at a lowly class six level. Last year, the Declan Carroll-trained Rwenearlytheredad completed a quickfire double during that week and there would be plenty of Northern based runners for this year's renewal.

There would be a big field for this minor contest and top weight would belong to the Michael Dods-trained Taygar, who looked promising in his first few starts, but he dropped to this level in an attempt to find his form again. John and Sean Quinn's Bandello competed in some decent novice contests and showed a hint of ability, but trailed home over six furlongs on handicap debut. Stars Away showed promise on racecourse debut last year before joining the Yorkshire yard of Fionn McSharry. Since then, the gelding has struggled in two novices for current connections. Ottoman Force represented the Darryll Holland yard and travelled north from Newmarket. The gelding's best result to date has been a runner up spot last year. A leading syndicate would be represented as Middleham Park Racing's High Violet ran here on the back of a career best second. Raft Up would make an impressive start to life with Harriett Bethell by winning at Newcastle at the start of May. He would struggle against older horses last time out. The Bryan Smart-trained Wichapi has been a useful sort at this level and has won three times to date. The filly appears to enjoy the softer ground conditions though. The Paul Midgley-trained Novello Lad finished runner up on debut in the novice on this card last year and despite not winning, he has finished third the last twice. Royal Justice has shown ability in three starts for John and Sean Quinn and made her handicap bow in this open looking contest. Ed Dunlop's Soldier's Cross made his seasonal debut over a mile before showing a little more encourage when back down to this distance last time out. Nigel Tinkler's Sergeant Mayer would frustratingly finish second three times in a row last year, but has yet to show similar form this year. The field was rounded out by a second Nigel Tinkler runner, Chillout Charlie. He is another from a good family but has yet to show much on track. 

Winner: NOVELLO LAD (#8) (Mehmas x Last Frontier) - D. Nolan - P. Midgley

Despite the low-key nature of this contest, there would be plenty of useful horses of this calibre and it would produce an exciting finish.

The group would get away to a relatively level break and the filly Wichahpi would be the early leader after the first few furlongs. Ottoman Force would prove tricky to load, but raced happily close to the pace with Royal Justice, stablemate Bandello and Sergeant Mayor. Approaching the final stages of the race, there would plenty in with a chance, but the black silks of Novello Lad was sighted travelling powerfully and breezed through the pack into contention. Taking up the running in the final furlong from Wichahpi, the strongly backed favourite would idle slightly in front, but the win was already sealed. Wichahpi kept on well after been headed and settled for a half length second, with the same distance back to the third Sergeant Mayor. Fourth place would go to High Violet, who was another to make group up from the rear, but was unable to sustain his effort. 

It would be a first career success for the son of Mehmas, almost exactly a year to the day of making his racecourse debut. After finishing runner up in the seven furlong novice on this card last year, he showed a mixed bag of form for Ron Thompson and switched to the Paul Midgley stable towards the end of 2023. The gelding has shown improvement this season and returned home third in his previous two starts. There would be plenty in his favour and today would be the day for Novello Lad.

Race Four: The Jamie & Rif Champions Cup Takepayments Handicap - Class Five - One Mile (Round) - Runners: 6

The first of two contests to take place on the lesser used round mile course would be a closely fought handicap for fillies and mares. The inaugural running of this class five contest took place last year and saw a good finish as James Fanshawe's Lady Wormsley got up close home to score.

Top weight would go to the Ruth Carr-trained Hostelry, who finished a close third in this race last year and won on her seasonal return by a wide margin. The seven year old has been a reliable sort for her connections. The four year old Princess Niyla has run only moderately for trainer Alan Brown without looking like winning. The Julie Camacho-trained Oscar's Sister won as a juvenile, but that remains her only success to date. She has been spotted on track sporadically in recent times. Ralph Beckett would be another high profile trainer at this level as he saddled the Frankel filly Golden Myrrh in this contest. The three year old got off the mark last time out but still looked tricky. The Julia Fielden-trained Notre Dame won twice at the start of the year on the all-weather and showed up positively again last time out following a short break. The Tom Clover-trained Princess Jastar has raced three times in novice company, but has finished closer to last in all three of those starts. A drop to this level could spark an improvement.

Winner: GOLDEN MYRRH (#4) (Frankel x Shepherdia) - R. Ryan - R. Beckett

A small but closely compact field of six would line up for this fillies' handicap and there would be another progressive winner. 

The early pace would be made by the keen-going Oscar's Sister as the grey Princess Jastar gave issues during the loading process and was then slow from her stall. There was plenty of strong support in the betting for the favourite Golden Myrrh and punters were able to relax as the three-year-old sat in second place. The remainder of the pack raced close to the pace and the outcome began to develop halfway down the home straight. Rossa Ryan began to turn the screw on Golden Myrrh and she soon opened up a gap to her rivals. Princess Niyla would emerge as chief threat as Hostelry was briefly boxed in at a crucial point. Rossa Ryan was able to ease up on Golden Myrrh and while Princess Niyla gained with each stride, the win would be comfortable enough for the favourite. 

It would be a second successive win for the fairly well bred daughter of Frankel, who needed to drop to this low level to gain a breakthrough. The filly is a half sister to the listed race winner Shepherds Market, so her profile as a potential broodmare in the future has been boosted with a handful of wins. Her confidence is at a high now and it will be interesting to see if she can continue her upward curve. 

Race Five: The Rory Anderson Takepayments Handicap - Class Five - One Mile (Round) - Runners: 8

The action remained on the round course and this time it would be everyone's turn with colts, geldings, fillies and mares all eligible for this class five handicap. Last year, the race went the way of Dougies Dream, who got the better of a three way finish to make it a double on the day for Nigel Tinkler.

The field of eight would take the start in this tight contest and the top weight would be carried by Mick Appleby's Ardbraccan, who won easily at the start of this season and has run well since, including here last time out. The filly would renew rivalries with Michael Herrington's Soames Forsyte and the five year old would be winning for the third time on his latest start to deny Ardbraccan at Nottingham. The Ian Williams-trained Beylerbeyi had been knocking at the door in recent starts before getting his nose in front last time out at Wolverhampton. The Mark Loughnane-trained Ciotog won twice last year, but has a good record at Bath with two wins there. His form on turf isn't as strong as his all-weather form. The five year old Tarjamah is well bred and started her career brightly, but has been disappointing recently and the move to Tracey Waggott yard has yet to inspire a return to form. Richard Fahey's Khathak remains winless since his debut back in 2021, but the reliable sort has gone down fighting in his last two runs, beaten narrowly in the podium places. The Nick Bradley Racing-owned and Karl Burke-trained Oakland Princess showed encouragement as a two-year-old, but disappointed earlier this year. She showed a little more encouragement last time on softer ground. The newly-gelded Bay Of Australia has been placed in three of his seven starts to date and Adrian Keatley's runner returned home fourth at Ripon last time following a break. 

Winner: BEYLERBEYI (#3) (Invincible Spirit x Gherdaiya) - O. Murphy - I. Williams

This race would be the second in a row in which there was little to choose from for most of the field and the in form protagonists came to the fore.

The early pace would be dictated by the filly Tarjamah with Soames Forsyte, Khathak and Ardbraccan all in close pursuit. Beylerbeyi was slightly slow from the gates and would be held up, but travelled strongly under Oisin Murphy. Bay Of Australia would suffer interference a furlong and a half out and his chance would be all but gone as Oakfield Princess made eyecatching headway to challenge. No other horse was travelling as well as Beylerbeyi as he swooped past his rivals down the outside into the lead. It would be a race winning move as the Ian Williams-trained gelding went clear in the final furlong. Ardbraccan would chase the winner down, but it would be all in vain as the mare had to settle for second. Back in third, Oakfield Princess ran one of her better races, finishing just ahead of the staying-on Ciotog. 

It would be a third career win for the four-year-old and his second in succession. The gelded son of Invicible Spirit has really found his form in recent weeks with a top five placing in each of his last six starts, including three seconds or thirds. He looks set to move to a career high rating next time out, but his confidence is also on the up.

Race Six: The Jade Markham And TPC Trailblazers Handicap - Class FIve - One Mile, Six Furlongs - Runners: 6

The feature race of the afternoon would be an interesting handicap for stayers of the future. A group of three year olds took to the fourteen furlong start for the longest race on the card. Since its inception in 2018, Newmarket trainers have dominated the race with the Gosden, Prescott and Stoute stables all taking the prize in the past. Last year, Pledgeofallegiance made every yard of the running to win and has since progressed further to win at Royal Ascot last week in the stamina sapping Ascot Stakes.

The Jedd O'Keeffe-trained Monsieur Melee got of the mark at the eighth attempt and needed every yard of the twelve furlong trip here last time out, but was burdened with top weight. Owen Burrows's See The Green would make a quick return to action having taken part in the Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot last week, but the Catterick maiden winner was outclassed on the day. Charlie Johnston's Love Safari is nicely bred but remains a maiden, but improvement is always expected from the yard's runners when stepping up in trip. He took a backwards step at Hamilton on his latest start. Tim Easterby's Fiilibustering improved for the step up to this distance with a very easy Redcar win on his penultimate start, but this race looked tougher. Andrew Balding's Night Horn seems to have inherited all the stamina from his sire Golden Horn and went close to winning over this distance when overhauled close home after making the running. Last year's winning trainer Sir Mark Prescott saddled the filly Miss Gitana in search of her first win. She has finished second the last twice at Beverley's stiff track and has followed the well trodden path of stablemates improving for the longer trips. 

Winner:  MISS GITANA (#6) (Nathaniel x Miss Celestial) - D. Muscutt - Sir M. Prescott Bt. 

Despite the small field, this intriguing handicap produced the finish of the day between some improving stayers.

The sextet would be tightly grouped in the early stages, despite Night Horn and Monsieur Melee's slow starts. They had plenty of time to compose themselves and had quickly regained their position close to the pace. It is a common sight to see a Charlie Johnston-trained runner at the head of the field so it was unsurprising that Night Safari cut out the early fractions. The remainder raced in pairs behind the leader with Miss Gitana, See The Green, Filibustering, Night Horn and Monsieur Melee all biding their time. As the field reached the home straight, See The Green would be the first one to crack on the quicker than ideal ground and he retreated quickly. Night Horn was the next to lose touch with the group as the slow start and subsequent hustling to reach a prominent position had used up too much energy.

That would leave just four contenders, but the leading trio remained unchanged. Night Safari would begin to wobble in front as the stamina test set in and Miss Gitana and Filibustering took turns in having a narrow lead. It would be a three way duel for the win inside the final furlong with Night Safari rallying bravely. The three horses crossed the line together and it took a short while for the judge to call the winner. The verdict would go to Miss Gitana, much to the joy of the punters. 

The Sir Mark Prescott-trained filly has shown improvement since turning three and moving up to middle distances. After going very close to winning at Beverley in May, but took a step backwards on her return to that venue a month later. The filly had to be notably brave and determined to win so this first career win was deserved. There is potential for Miss Gitana to step up even further to two miles in the future and already has an attractive breeding profile as a granddaughter of Musidora winner Liber Nauticus and distant relative to Group One placed Trevaunance. 

Race Seven: The Ashleigh Lodge Takepayments Handicap - Class Five - One Mile, Two Furlongs - Runners: 11

The final race of the afternoon would also be a new race, as the older horse novice would be converted into this handicap over the ten furlong trip. The new race conditions attracted a healthy field and plenty of competition for this £8,400 prize. 

The weights would be headed by the Harriett Bethell-trained stalwart Bearwith, who has won plenty of times for his current connections over the past two seasons. The Mick Appleby yard was represented by the grey L'Argent, a maiden who would be making his British turf debut for this shrewd yard. Prince Achille won twice on the all-weather earlier this year and he would be running on turf for the first time in nearly a year. Jedd O'Keeffe's gelding is still useful on turf though. Another Mick Appleby runner would be Olympicus who is very well bred, but won for the only time at Newmarket last year. The in form runner would be Kevin Frost's Sisterandbrother, who has won twice since joining his current handler last month. The Ruth Carr-trained Bushfire won twice last year, but has shown a mixed bag of form so far this season. The homebred Rise Hall was once very promising at the start of his career, but last year saw some very poor runs at times and his consistency would be questioned. The Rebecca Menzies-trained Star Start enjoyed a profitable summer last year which included a win here. He hasn't been in the same form this year, but his rating has fallen below his last winning one. Richard Fahey's Glistening Nights is another to break their duck last time out and did so at the eleventh attempt at Wetherby at a lower level.  One of the more lightly raced sorts would be Adrian Keatley's Smooth Transition, who shaped like a stayer in his novice races and even tried hurdling last time with little success. Highland Lil showed a small amount of promise on debut back in April, but his form has gone backwards since and would need to improve plenty to feature here. 

Winner: GLISTENING NIGHTS (#9) (Night of Thunder x Lily Passion) - B. Garritty - R. Fahey

The final race of the afternoon would see a clean sweep of winning favourites through the card to send punters home delighted and the bookies licking their wounds.

Highland Lil would be the one requiring most attention by the stalls handlers, but she was eventually encouraged in thanks to some strong manpower. The early pace would be just modest in the early stages as plenty of runners raced keenly for a few furlongs. The lightly raced Smooth Transition would lead the field around the home bend as the slightly sluggish starter Olympicus brought up the rear. The grey Bearwith would be one of the first to challenge halfway down the home straght, but Glistening Nights was always in a good position to strike. The Billy Garritty-ridden gelding made his move at the two furlong pole, but began to drift to his left. That would cause interference to the already weakening Star Start but the forward momentum took Glistening Nights further clear. Bearwith would keep the leader honest, but the gap was no bigger than half a length at the finish and it would be first race and last race double for Richard Fahey and Billy Garritty. Sisterandbrother continued his good form by staying on into third while Rise Hall also posted a better effort by staying into fourth. 

Glistening Nights would be the third horse on the card to win successive races and now it appears he has found his form. After a below par run over twelve furlongs at the Chester May Festival, he has since improved for the drop back to ten furlongs. The son of Night of Thunder won well enough to suggest there could be more to come later in the year.