A review of Wednesday's action at Nottingham

A review of Wednesday's action from Nottingham where Donny Rover signed off his 2014 campaign with a win.

Mick Appleby has high hopes for Donny Rover next season after the three-year-old ended 2014 with victory in the Jockey Club Grassroots Middle Distance Series Final at Nottingham.

The Newark handler believes the Excellent Art gelding could be Listed class after he executed a long-term plan with a hard-fought half-length verdict over Ocean Applause under Andrew Mullen.

Appleby had targeted this 10-furlong handicap for the three-year-old after he won at Nottingham in April in his first start since being bought privately from football agent Willie McKay.

"He'll be better next year and that's him done for this year," he said.

"He's improving, like all the family do, and he could be Listed class next year.

"I bought him privately off Willie McKay and I couldn't believe how well he looked after he had 16 races as a two-year-old.

"I thought he must be tough. I persuaded Colin (Bacon, owner) to buy him and he's done well for us.

"When they transferred his races from Warwick I made it the long-term plan and was always going to be his last race of the year."

Appleby was denied a big handicap double when Guishan was just touched off by Mon Brav (12/1) in the Jockey Club Grassroots Sprint Series Final.

In a three-way tussle to the six-furlong dash, Silvestre de Sousa got Brian Ellison's charge home by a neck, with Rocket Rob only a nose away in third.

Express Himself (6/1) recovered from a tardy start to take the Sponsor A Race At Nottingham Racecourse Handicap under a patient ride by Jim Crowley.

The Ed McMahon-trained three-year-old hit the front inside the final furlong and just did enough to keep Weekendatbernies at bay by three-quarters a length.

"He has his own way of thinking, this horse," said McMahon.

"You can see why I put the cheekpieces on him last time but he didn't like them very much.

"He jumped out of the stalls awkward and Jim gave him a good ride. He got there and then didn't put his head too far in front. He'll be a nice horse next year."

Elle Dorado (7/1) stepped up on an encouraging debut effort with a gutsy all-the-way win in the EBF Stallions Oh So Sharp Maiden Fillies' Stakes.

The Tom Dascombe-trained filly saw the extended mile out well as she repelled the late surge of Waldnah by half a length in the hands of Richard Kingscote.

"She's got plenty of size and scope about her. She'll progress and should be nice next year," said Dascombe's assistant Colin Gorman.

Tony Coyle's Our Kylie (11/1) enjoyed the stamina test of an extended mile and a quarter as she ended her campaign on a high note in the Watch RacingUK on Channel 432 Nursery Handicap under Barry McHugh.

"She just needs every yard of that and she's tough. This time next year she'll be going hurdling," said the North Yorkshire trainer.

Robert Cowell's Just Us Two (even-money favourite) made it third-time lucky in the EBF Stallions Slip Anchor Maiden Stakes after two promising efforts at Sandown with a two-length success under Freddie Tylicki.

Royal Bajan (14/1) emerged a short-head winner of the concluding Join Us For Construction Day 15th October Handicap for the James Given-Tom Eaves axis.