DONATION swooped close home to claim the Category One prize her supporters felt she deserved when winning The Lowther Stakes, sponsored by MSCM Ltd, at Nottingham on Monday.

The Heather Dimock-trained runner, winner of last year’s Yorkshire Oaks at Sheffield as a youngster, has enjoyed a terrific 2018 campaign with a third place in Sunderland’s Grand Prix final before running-up in the Angel of the North Oaks at Newcastle.

“She’s a real star,” said Dimmock yesterday of the July 2015 daughter of Droopys Cain and Delightful Flyer who was also an Oaks finalist last year. “Mick (Pacey, partner and assistant) wasn’t sure she’d got up – and neither was I. What a race!”

Move Over Edie (Angela Harrison) trapped best in the 480m final and made the bend in front and set a furious tempo down the back-straight, with Queen Adele giving chase in behind and John Lambe’s bitch challenged at the third bend, only to be crowded out.

Bull Run Button (Barrie Draper) also made a move at this point but Move Over Evie was still in front as they swung for home. However, the powerful Donation was running strongly round the outer and, in a thrilling finish, swooped for a short-head verdict in 28.78sec (+20).

Donation is owned by the Jabber Crew, which include Heather’s father Steve, Geoffrey Wills, Adam Duncan and Richard Evans and she was reported as “bouncing” by the now Henlow-based handler.

“Her and Mick got back about half twelve last night – Nottingham is pretty good for us – and she was in great form when they got back. I was probably still shaking – I was shouting at the TV hoping she’d get up – and thankfully she did!”

Dimmock said the victory, worth £10,000 to connections, was up there with her other major successes – with Holdem Rio in the Peterborough Puppy Derby and Kildallon Bolt in the Northern Puppy Derby. The Steel City Cup at Sheffield is next on the agenda for Donation.

Mark Lowther, the leading owner who sponsors the bitches-only competition, was delighted with the 2018 renewal, the first at the Colwick Park venue having been staged for the previous three years at Towcester – being won by Forest Twilight (2015), Crossfield Molly (2016) and Geelo Sapphire (2017).

Lowther said: “It’s been a great night here and thanks to Nottingham for staging the race. I think from a breeding perspective it’s vital to have top bitches’ races and I’ve been delighted to back the Lowther Stakes. Well done to Heather and her team.”

On behalf of the host track, director Nathan Corden said: “A huge thank-you to Mark (Lowther) and MSCM Limited for their generous sponsorship of the event – it was a tremendous competition and the final proved to be a brilliant race.

“Our congratulations go to Donation, her trainer Heather Dimmock and connections.”