14:40 Doncaster

Saturday 28 January 2023

All12:2012:5513:3514:0514:4015:1515:5016:25

Albert Bartlett River Don Novices' Hurdle (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:40 | Winning time: 5m 44.97s

Grand Soir⁴¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Ben Harvey| T: J C McConnell| OR: 131| D

9/2

Has looked all about stamina, completing the hat-trick after 9 weeks off at Thurles (23f, good to soft) just under 6 weeks ago. Likely he has more to offer so has to be respected in his bid for a 4-timer.

Form: 27-7111

Hurricane Bay³³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: N de Boinville| T: L Wadham| OR: 121| BF| C

16/1

Showed fair form in bumpers and already better over hurdles, runner-up to Hall Lane at Wetherby before going one place better at this track in November. Improved further in defeat at Huntingdon last time but faces a struggle here stepped up to 3m for the first time.

Form: 3/53-213

Idalko Bihoue²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 132| D

4/1

From the family of fairly useful hurdler/useful chaser (stayed 2¾m) Bagad Bihoue and finished alone on his sole start in Irish points. Easy winner in the mud at Worcester in October and cracking effort in defeat upped to Grade 1 level in the Challow last month. This trip will suit.

Form: 1-13

Mahons Glory⁹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Charlie Hammond| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 126

20/1

Failed to win for Denis Hogan in Ireland but struck at the first time of asking for Dr Richard Newland in an Aintree maiden hurdle in October, albeit not keeping straight under pressure. Could easily have more to come for this new stable.

Form: 52523-1

Maximilian⁵⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 128| DWS

13/2

Successful on his sole start in Irish points and defied a penalty at the first attempt in making it 5/5 in various disciplines in novice hurdle at Bangor (23f) in November. Lost his unbeaten record stepped up to Grade 2 company early last month (bled) and has since had a breathing operation.

Form: 111-113

Park This One²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: J J Burke| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 124| D

22/1

Point winner who was off the mark on second start in bumpers and made a successful debut over hurdles when making all at Uttoxeter in October. Fourth in Sandown Grade 2 next time and resumed winning ways at Catterick (19.3f, soft) on New Year's Day. More needed in this.

Form: 121-141

Rock On Cowboy²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Kielan Woods| T: B Pauling| OR: 111| D

66/1

Irish point winner but fared much better than he did on hurdles debut when third at Uttoxeter early last month. Unable to build on that effort in a Cheltenham novice since and looks out of his depth in this grade.

Form: 41-P36

Stay Away Fay^t⁶⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Lorcan Williams| T: P F Nicholls| D

5/2

Shantou gelding who having been given a wind op since winning his only outing in Irish points, made the perfect start over hurdles at Newbury (20.5f, good to soft) a couple of months ago, benefitting from the third tying up badly. Leading player with improvement on the cards.

Form: 1-1

The Wounded Knee^t⁹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Tom Midgley| T: P Neville| OR: 134| D

25/1

Placed both starts in points and progressive form over hurdles, recording a brace of Perth wins (maiden and handicap) at up to 3m. Improved further when runner-up in Cheltenham novice (19.9f, good to soft) back in October and he could well have more to offer.

Form: 33-3112

Twig⁸²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: Beau Morgan| T: B Pauling| OR: 132| D

15/2

Multiple winning pointer who landed a pair of hunter chases for Matthew Hampton last spring. Winner over fences at Warwick in October and opened account over hurdles on his second attempt at Kempton when last seen 3 months ago. Each-way claims for in-form yard.

Form: 1-12121

Forecasts

Stay Away Fay (5/2), Idalko Bihoue (4/1), Grand Soir (9/2), Maximilian (13/2), Twig (15/2), Hurricane Bay (16/1), Mahons Glory (20/1), Park This One (22/1), The Wounded Knee (25/1), Rock On Cowboy (66/1)

This can go the way of STAY AWAY FAY, who looked all about stamina when making a winning start under Rules at Newbury a couple of months ago and Paul Nicholls' charge is fancied to take this step up in grade in his stride. Grand Soir arrives chasing a 4-timer so he may emerge as the main danger, with Idalko Bihoue and The Wounded Knee another couple worth considering.