Racing
Doncaster Place 6 preview | 28th January
12.20 – Happy 60th Birthday Neil Young Handicap Hurdle – 2m3f
Ben Pauling’s GALAHAD THREEPWOOD has shaped well on his last four starts and is of interest back over this longer trip. KAJAKI is back on the same mark as when second here on his sole previous visit and is feared, while FRINGILL DIKE has won three of his four starts in this grade and has a chance as well. A difficult opener so three on the list.
Selections: GALAHAD THREEPWOOD
12.55 – Happy 60th Birthday Neil Young Handicap Hurdle – 2m3f
KEEPYOURDREAMSBIG showed a decent level of form over hurdles and improved significantly from his chase debut third to finish second at Leicester last time, beaten just over a length. Off the same mark, he is a big player here. TREVADA might not suit the drop in trip but his latest second behind a 123-rated horse was a good effort in defeat and a repeat of that might be enough to see him go one better.
Selections: KEEPYOURDREAMSBIG, TREVADA
13.35 – MND Association Race For Research Lightning Novices’ Chase (Grade 2) – 2m
BOOTHILL has won three of his four starts over fences and landed the Grade Two Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase at Kempton last time. He is the one to beat, though TOMMY’S OSCAR is favoured by the weights and this former classy hurdler is fancied to go close. GANAPATHI has some decent form in the book and has taken well to fences. He could only finish fifth last time but is better than that and could go well at decent odds.
Selections: BOOTHILL, TOMMY’S OSCAR, GANAPATHI
14.05 – Sky Bet Yorkshire Rose Mares’ Hurdle (Grade 2) – 2m
Nicky Henderson’s EPATANTE is undoubtedly miles clear of these on form and ratings and this former Champion Hurdle winner has run with credit behind stablemate Constitution Hill in Fighting Fifth and Christmas Hurdle the last two times. Even if she isn’t at her best for whatever reason, she should still have too much class for these and can therefore deservedly open her account for the campaign here.
Selections: EPATANTE
14.40 – Albert Bartlett River Don Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) – 3m
IDALKO BIHOUE bolted up on his stable debut at Worcester and wasn’t disgraced when third in a Grade One last time at Newbury. This longer distance should suit and he is a leading contender, as is MAXIMILIAN, who’s won four of his five starts under rules and wasn’t disgraced when losing his unbeaten record last time when third having bled and not being suited to the shorter trip. He is worth another chance. Ben Pauling’s TWIG has a solid profile and cannot be discounted either.
Selections: IDALKO BIHOUE, MAXIMILIAN, TWIG
15.15 – Sky Bet Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) – 2m7f
The Sky Bet Chase is the feature at Doncaster and this is a fine opportunity for Paddy Power Gold Cup winner GA LAW to make the step up in trip to three-miles a winning one. He has to shoulder top-weight but he is the class act in the race and a mark of 150, which is eight pounds higher than his latest win, makes him still well-treated on the pick of his form. He did well to take the spoils last time considering it was his first trip to Cheltenham and made a couple of mistakes as well and if he is being considered as a possible Ryanair Chase candidate, he will need to win this if those ambitions are to materialise.
Selections: GA LAW
