DATO STAR has been confirmed as a definite starter in the Tote Credit November Handicap at Doncaster, a race in which he finished second to Snow Princess 12 months ago.

Malcolm Jefferson, who trains Dato Star, revealed yesterday that Kieren Fallon banned for failing to ride out the gelding on his reappearance on the Flat at Nottingham last month - will keep the ride.

Fallon, who also rode Dato Star in last year's race, will be in the saddle despite the fact that he may have to put up 1lb overweight.

"I told Kieren's agent that if the weights don't go up. I'll be happy if he can do 8st 4lbs," said Jefferson. "I don't think 1lb will make a lot of difference and it's better to have him carry a little bit of overweight than to have a fresh jockey on him.

Kieren knows him so well and I think his experience of the horse is worth more than 1lb, anyway. I'll be very surprised if the weights don't go up."

Jefferson had withheld a decision about Dato Star's participation because he wanted to see how well the gelding had come out of his Nottingham.