16:00 Doncaster

Friday 23 January 2026

All12:4513:1513:4514:1514:5015:2516:00

Virgin Bet Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:00 | Winning time: 5m 23.42s

Vee Dancer^p,t⁶⁹

Age: 11| Weight: 12-1| J: Freddie Keighley⁽⁷⁾| T: R Potter| OR: 112

80/1

Fair dual-purpose performer at best but has shown nothing in 4 starts for current yard.

Form: 6111/P-P

Mask Of Zorro²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-13| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Tizzard| OR: 110| D

2/1

Has taken off since switched to handicaps and responded generously to pressure when completing hat-trick at Taunton last month. Up another 6 lb but has bags of scope and is still totally unexposed as a stayer.

Form: 56-4111

Be The Difference²⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 11-11| J: Joe Williamson⁽³⁾| T: P A Kirby| OR: 108| D

7/1

Completed a hat-trick in decisive fashion at Sedgefield 7 weeks ago but winning run ended off revised mark when sixth of 7 at Wetherby on Boxing Day. Should at least be more competitive here back down in class.

Form: 331116

Ilitch⁴⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: Charlie Hammond| T: S Edmunds| OR: 108

6/4

Went the right way sent hurdling for this yard last season, suited by the longer trip when getting off the mark in handicap at Fontwell (17.7f) in March. Shaped well in defeat both starts this term and can give another good account.

Form: 4421-45

Milan Park^t²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Ross Chapman| T: C Grant| OR: 105

10/1

Modest form in bumpers and best effort over hurdles when fourth on handicap bow at Wetherby on Boxing Day, albeit well positioned. More needed again up on trip.

Form: 5/53-244

Justus^p²⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: B S Hughes| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 102| C

16/1

Off the mark over hurdles early in 2024 and scored twice on level later that year. However, lightly raced and disappointing since, tailed off at Leicester over Christmas.

Form: 012P/64

Greedy Smith²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Kielan Woods| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 99

6/1

Walk In The Park gelding who has displayed ability in 4 his runs so far and no surprise if he made more of an impact now upped significantly in trip on handicap bow.

Form: 4-777

Non-Runners

Passing Pleasure³⁸

Weight: 11-12| Age: 6

T: O Greenall & J Guerriero J: Craig Nichol

The Two Harrys⁵³

Weight: 11-11| Age: 7

T: Harry Derham J: Paul O'Brien

Balboa²⁴

Weight: 11-10| Age: 6

T: J W Mullins J: Non Runner

Romeo Brown⁴¹

Weight: 11-9| Age: 12

T: J Parkinson & S Smith J: Oscar Palmer

Forecasts

Ilitch (6/4), Mask Of Zorro (2/1), Passing Pleasure (11/4), Romeo Brown (11/2), Greedy Smith (6/1), Be The Difference (7/1), The Two Harrys (7/1), Milan Park (10/1), Justus (16/1), Balboa (20/1), Vee Dancer (80/1)

MASK OF ZORRO recorded a good time when pulling clear with another progressive type at Taunton last month and this scopey sort should make a bold bid for the 4-timer. This does look competitive, though, with unexposed pair Passing Pleasure and The Two Harrys heading the dangers.