Christmas Live At Doncaster Juvenile Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 11:41 | Winning time: 4m 10.03s

Mariner¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 11-4| J: Sean Quinlan| T: J Candlish

8/1

Fair maiden handicapper on Flat (stays 1¼m), Not given a hard time on hurdle debut for this yard and is entitled to come on for that run.

Form: 4

Melon⁷⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 11-4| J: Henry Brooke| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero

8/15

Fairly useful on Flat, much improved when successful on handicap debut over 1¾m at Haydock in September. Ground was heavy that day so stamina should be no issue, and he looks to have strong claims in what looks a winnable race.

Form:

Mix De Gris^h¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 11-4| J: Jack Power⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell

12/1

Modest on the Flat and pulled up on hurdling debut at Newcastle having raced freely. Shaped better with hood applied when second to easy winner at Wetherby and couldn't rule out with that experience under his belt.

Form: P2

Saviour^h,t¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 11-4| J: Craig Nichol| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero

28/1

Fair maiden on the Flat (often raced freely) and from the family of a useful hurdler. Not given hard time on hurdling debut but would need to step forward markedly to be involved here.

Form: 6

Belfrina⁷⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 10-11| J: Nick Scholfield| T: D Pipe

9/4

Fairly useful form on Flat (stays 1¼m), much improved when successful in big-field maiden at the Curragh last time. Makes hurdling debut for top yard having left John S. O'Donoghue and it would be no surprise to see her take this.

Form:

Icecap¹¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 10-11| J: Aaron Anderson⁽⁵⁾| T: M E Sowersby

250/1

Modest maiden on Flat, little impact in varied events in 2024. Sold from Patrick Owens 1,000 gns in September and makes hurdles debut for new yard. Hard to fancy.

Form:

Poppys On Fire²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 10-11| J: Nathan Moscrop| T: R Menzies

200/1

Gleneagles filly who was a cheap purchase given her good Flat pedigree. Achieved nothing in two bumper runs a week apart, finishing last on both occasions and will need to leave that well behind on hurdling debut.

Form: 85

Forecasts

Melon (8/15), Belfrina (9/4), Mariner (8/1), Mix De Gris (12/1), Saviour (28/1), Poppys On Fire (200/1), Icecap (250/1)

BELFRINA is an interesting recruit for the David Pipe yard having won a big-field maiden in Ireland and this looks to be a winnable opportunity on hurdles debut. Melon also won last time on the level so rates the main danger, with Mix de Gris likely to be thereabouts.