15:15 Doncaster

Saturday 1 March 2025

All13:3014:0514:4015:1515:5516:3117:07

Virgin Bet Grimthorpe Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:16 | Winning time: 6m 20.0s

Twig⁵⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 12-0| J: Beau Morgan⁽⁵⁾| T: B Pauling| OR: 146| D

10/1

Did well chasing last term, runner-up in the Ultima at the Cheltenham Festival before performing with credit in another big handicap at Aintree. Has raced exclusively over hurdles so far this season, presumably with a view to protecting his mark ahead of assignments such as this. One to consider.

Form: 025-2P7

White Rhino⁶⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-9| J: Henry Brooke| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 141

6/1

Progressive over hurdles and has take further stides forward switched to fences this season, landing handicaps at Ayr and Haydock prior to unseating Henry Brooke early in the Kauto Star Novices' Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day. Key player with further improvement likely now back in handicap company.

Form: 134-11U

Fidelio Vallis²⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 11-5| J: Alice Stevens⁽³⁾| T: Harry Derham| OR: 137

50/1

Back in the winning groove when taking a decent pot at Musselburgh on New Year's Day last year. However, that now seems like a distant memory following 3 very low-key performances so far this season.

Form: 241-P67

Weveallbeencaught^p³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 136| C

5/1

Following a relatively short stint for Christian Williams, he belatedly opened his chase account on first run since rejoining Nigel Twiston-Davies here (3m, good) at the end of January. Remains on a feasible mark up 8 lb and should make his presence felt.

Form: 0-32P51

Hymac^p1,t⁶³

Age: 9| Weight: 10-12| J: Bryan Carver| T: H Fry| OR: 130

11/2

Suited by step up to 3½m when opening chase account on final start of last term at Cheltenham. Followed up in a novice hurdle on return in October and has subsequently put in good shifts returned to this sphere, latterly finishing a clear second in the Mandarin at Newbury. Cheekpieces enlisted.

Form: 321-132

Monte Igueldo^t,p1¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: James Davies| T: G Hanmer| OR: 130

18/1

Lightly-raced since racking up a hat-trick at the end of 2022 but clearly still capable of winning races judged on solid placed efforts in back-to-back Uttoxeter handicap chases last summer. Also ran well back from a break at Bangor in November but limitations seemingly exposed at Ascot since.

Form: 4P-3237

Erne River^b³⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 10-12| J: Charlie Hammond| T: N Kent| OR: 130| C

14/1

Two of his 3 chase wins have been gained here, the latest in first-time cheekpieces over 3m in December 2023. Not at that level so far this season but there have been some green shoots of recovery since the blinkers were refitted and his mark is on the slide. Not discounted.

Form: P-PPU44

Undersupervision^v⁷³

Age: 9| Weight: 10-9| J: James Turner⁽⁵⁾| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 127| CD

22/1

Winner of this race off 5 lb higher in 2022 and just touched off by Moroder in the following season's renewal. However, he's becoming increasingly unpredictable (pulled up on 5 of his last 7 starts) and yard saddles a stronger candidate this time round in Weveallbeencaught.

Form: P3PP-P4

Some Scope^t³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-9| J: G Sheehan| T: R Hobson| OR: 127| C

6/1

Had good first season over fences, winning 2 of his 5 starts and was a solid second in this race 12 months ago. Resumed progress when landing the 3m Rowland Meyrick at Wetherby on Boxing Day prior to a rare below-par display at Cheltenham. Every chance he'll bounce back with a bold show.

Form: 24-P41P

Moroder^b¹¹¹

Age: 11| Weight: 10-7| J: James Best| T: J W Mullins| OR: 125| CD

33/1

More miss than hit since narrowly prevailing in this race 2 years ago and while he would have a serious chance off this reduced mark if on-song, others make more appeal.

Form: 7852-P4

Lord Baddesley^t⁹²

Age: 10| Weight: 10-7| J: Ben Godfrey| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 125

12/1

Fairly useful hurdles/chase winner for Chris Gordon who took a step back in right direction for new yard when creditable fourth of 9 in handicap chase at Newbury (19.8f, good to soft) in November. Absent since but wouldn't be without an each-way chance if fully tuned-up.

Form: 7274-64

The Kniphand^p²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-7| J: Finn Lambert⁽³⁾| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 125| C

4/1

Back on the up when winning 4-runner novices' handicap over 3m at this course in December. Didn't do much wrong when third at Uttoxeter next time and he evidently likes it here (also won twice over hurdles on Town Moor a couple of seasons back), so there is certainly cause for optimism.

Form: 25-1213

Non-Runners

King Turgeon²⁷

Weight: 11-7| Age: 7

T: D Pipe J: Non Runner

Surrey Quest²⁷

Weight: 11-7| Age: 8

T: T Lawes J: K Brogan

Forecasts

The Kniphand (4/1), Weveallbeencaught (5/1), Hymac (11/2), White Rhino (6/1), Some Scope (6/1), Surrey Quest (7/1), Twig (10/1), King Turgeon (10/1), Lord Baddesley (12/1), Erne River (14/1), Monte Igueldo (18/1), Undersupervision (22/1), Moroder (33/1), Fidelio Vallis (50/1)

This is TWIG's time of year (five of his seven wins under Rules have been gained between March and July) and he is of strong interest returned to this sphere following a few spins over hurdles. Indeed, a reproduction of his fine second in the Ultima at last season's Cheltenham Festival would give him every chance. White Rhino's best days are probably still ahead of him and he is next on the list ahead of Weveallbeencaught and Hymac.