Racing
Doncaster Place 6 preview | 29th December
12.10 – bet365 British EBF ‘National Hunt’ Novices’ Hurdle – 2m3f
Henry Daly’s MOON HUNTER made a successful debut over hurdles with a bit up his sleeve at Wetherby and despite his penalty, he should be able to derive from that winning experience and go well here. THEATRE MAN absolutely battered his rivals at Hereford last time from the front and with further progress likely, could be tough to pass again under the retained assistance of David Bass in the opener.
Selections: Moon Hunter, Theatre Man
12.45 – bet365 Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase – 2m
CALL OF THE WILD has yet to finish outside the frame in all six starts under rules and having won his sole bumper, he’s won twice and made the frame three times over hurdles, including on his return at Ascot last-time-out. He is very well-treated for his handicap chase debut and is a leading contender, while HADDES DES OBEAUX built on his encouraging chase debut when second at Kempton and given the winner has won again since, he has solid claims.
Selections: CALL OF THE WILD, HADDES DES OBEAUX
13.20 – bet365 Fillies’ Juvenile Maiden Hurdle – 2m
ARCLIGHT was useful on the Flat for Sir Mark Prescott, winning once and making the frame three times in just seven starts. He makes his hurdles debut for the powerful Nicky Henderson stable and has already attracted strong market support overnight. If his jumping passes the test, he could easily take this race. He’s a short-price to do so but should be able to at least make the frame under Nico here.
Selections: ARCLIGHT
13.55 – bet365 Handicap Hurdle – 3m
ERNE RIVER proved no match for Hitman last time but he’s a dual winner in that sphere and had previously won two of his three starts over hurdles. Despite carrying top-weight on his return to hurdles, the seven-year-old has a good chance. WALKING ON AIR ran a really good race when third on his return at Aintree and, with that run under his belt, Nicky Henderson’s highly-regarded five-year-old has excellent claims off the same mark dropped in grade here.
Selections: ERNE RIVER, WALKING ON AIR
14.40 – bet365 Handicap Chase – 2m7f
GESSKILLE has to be the one to side with in this race given his progressive profile with more to offer. He won three of his first four starts for this stable and has been runner-up in both starts this season over the National Fences. He was marginally beaten by Al Dancer in the Grand Sefton and then ran a cracker in the Becher behind Ashtown Lad. With this course likely to play to his strengths, and Toby claiming five, he is fancied to return to winning ways.
Selections: GESSKILLE
15.10 – bet365 Yorkshire Silver Vase Mares’ Chase – 2m4f
ZAMBELLA is a really likeable mare, who hardly runs a bad race and emphatically collected a Listed event when last spotted. She won this by fifteen lengths last season and should go close to retaining her title. ANNIE MC should strip fitter for her return run behind the former though and is feared most given she has a lot of talent too.
Selections: ZAMBELLA, ANNIE MC
