14:40 Doncaster

Saturday 27 January 2024

All11:5012:2012:5513:3014:0514:4015:1515:50

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

Off time: 14:40 | Winning time: 5m 54.0s

Big Fish⁶⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Joe Anderson| T: Miss E C Lavelle

25/1

Promise in bumpers and returned from a lengthy absence with a professional performance to make a winning hurdling debut at Exeter (18.5) in October. Proved a little disappointing under a penalty at Warwick the following month and this isn't any easier.

Form: 25-14

Chosen Templar²²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Lily Pinchin| T: D J Jeffreys| D

100/1

Bumper winner for P. O'Rourke who made a successful hurdling/stable debut in 6-runner novice hurdle (11/4) at Musselburgh (23.8f, soft) 22 days ago, driven out. This demands an awful lot more but he's open to improvement nonetheless.

Form: PP5-511

Destroytheevidence^p⁴²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: David Bass| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 130| D

10/3

Has hinted at temperament but made it 3 wins from 5 starts over hurdles in 5-runner handicap at Kempton (24.5f, soft) in November, eased run-in and value for around double the winning margin. Ran creditably up in grade when second at Cheltenham (3m) last time but did need stoking up early.

Form: 312112

Dripsey Moon³²

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

18/1

Dual point winner who looked potentially useful when making a successful hurdling debut at Perth in August. Shaped well in defeat under a penalty at Kelso and wasn't disgraced upped in grade at Limerick last month.

Form: 211-125

Esprit Du Potier²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: P W Wadge| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 121

14/1

Dual bumper winner who produced a dominant display when opening his hurdle account at the third attempt in a 7-runner maiden at Ayr (20.4f) 25 days ago. This is harder but he could have more to offer now upped to 3m.

Form: 116-221

I Love My Baie³⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: D A Jacob| T: S R B Crawford

13/2

Likeable type who resumed winning ways back up in trip 4-runner novice hurdle at Ayr (20.4f, soft, 11/4) 38 days ago. Will stay 3m and likely to go well.

Form: 1-31231

Kerryhill⁴²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: B S Hughes| T: Ruth Jefferson| OR: 124| D

7/1

Fetched £115,000 after winning the second of his 2 starts in Irish points and, strong in the betting, made a successful hurdles debut in 5-runner novice at Kelso (22.7f) in November. Shaped as well as any when fourth in 3m Cheltenham Grade 2 subsequently and open to further progress.

Form: 21-14

Range⁴⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Tom Cannon| T: S Thomas| OR: 127

9/1

Fair form in bumpers last season and confirmed his hurdling debut promise when winning 13-runner maiden at Chepstow (19.4f, heavy) 49 days ago. That effort is supported by the timefigure and he appeals as the sort to go on improving up in trip/grade.

Form: 235-21

The Newest One²⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: Finn Lambert| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 128| CD

18/1

Fairly useful hurdler who didn't need to improve to land a a novice at Chepstow with loads in hand in December. Turned in a rather lacklustre display back in handicap company at Cheltenham last time, however.

Form: 223-217

Welcom To Cartries³⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Lorcan Williams| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 130| D

15/8

Easy winner of sole start in Irish points (Dec 2022) and, on the back of a breathing operation, shaped with plenty of encouragement when second in a maiden hurdle at Ascot in November. Confirmed that promise when going one better back there (21.6f) last month and remains open to improvement.

Form: 1-21

Forecasts

Welcom To Cartries (15/8), Destroytheevidence (10/3), I Love My Baie (13/2), Kerryhill (7/1), Range (9/1), Esprit Du Potier (14/1), The Newest One (18/1), Dripsey Moon (18/1), Big Fish (25/1), Chosen Templar (100/1)

Another competitive renewal of this Grade 2. I LOVE MY BAIE added to a positive profile when resuming winning ways in a small-field event at Ayr last month and, with this step up to 3m promising to suit, he earns the vote. There are plenty of dangers however, with the promising Welcom To Cartries and Kerryhill topping the list.