14:05 Doncaster

Saturday 24 January 2026

All12:2012:5513:3014:0514:3815:1315:48

Virgin Bet Great Yorkshire Chase (Premier Handicap Chase) (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:05 | Winning time: 6m 5.24s

Deep Cave³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Jack Tudor| T: Christian Williams| OR: 141| D

9/2

Did well over hurdles last term, ending campaign with a big win at Aintree in April. Further progress back chasing this season, making it 2-2 over fences on these shores when getting on top close home in a major Ascot handicap (23.8f, good to soft) last month. Solid claims up 2 lb.

Form: 5461-11

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Josh The Boss^t²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Mr Jamie Neild⁽⁷⁾| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 133| BF| C

7/1

Multiple hurdles scorer who has taken well to fences, walking over at Newbury prior to a decisive all-the-way success in 4-runner novices' handicap here (19f, soft). Latest Aintree second on Boxing Day was no backward step but he's venturing into the unknown trip-wise here (first run beyond 21.6f).

Form: 8-82112

Joyeux Machin^p,t⁴²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-6| J: Tristan Durrell| T: D Skelton| OR: 133| D

7/1

Some good efforts in defeat over hurdles last term, including when going close in a valuable race at Uttoxeter during the spring. Wasn't entirely disgraced returned to this sphere in the C&D handicap won by Docpickedme last month but he was never travelling with much purpose. Others preferred.

Form: 322-784

Docpickedme^p,t⁴²

Age: 10| Weight: 11-4| J: Charlie Maggs⁽⁵⁾| T: R Hobson| OR: 131| CD

15/2

Scaled new heights by landing this prize off 2 lb lower 12 months ago and return to this course sparked a return to form when gamely seeing off 6 rivals over C&D last time. Clearly likes it here and impossible to rule out but, at the same time, a clear career-best is required.

Form: 21P-531

Grand Geste^p³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Danny McMenamin| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 129

5/2

Winless following 7 attempts over hurdles but has proved a different proposition switched to fences this season, finding just one too good at Carlisle and Newcastle prior to easily landing the Tommy Whittle at Haydock (25.6f, good to soft). 10 lb rise may not be enough to stop him in his tracks.

Form: 34P-221

Walking On Air^p1,t³⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: B S Hughes| T: Faye Bramley| OR: 127

11/1

Formerly very useful hurdler/chaser and unlucky in this last year, having seemingly mastered Docpickedme when falling at the final fence. No show otherwise for Gary Brown and well held both starts for new yard but another crack at this prize has probably been the plan for a while. Cheekpieces added.

Form: 63F0P-8

Dartmoor Pirate^t³⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: Rex Dingle| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 125

7/1

Hurdles winner who left his 2 previous performances over fences behind when landing a 5-runner Lingfield handicap (2¾m, good to soft) in a first-time tongue strap last month. No issues stamina-wise back up in trip here but this 7 lb higher mark in a much stronger race could be too much of an ask.

Form: 6250-51

New Order^t²³

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: David Bass| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 125| D

9/1

Three-time chase winner (at up to 3m) following a wind op last season. Tailed off on his reappearance in November but went close at Sandown next time and posted another solid effort in defeat when third in a Cheltenham handicap (25.2f, good) on New Year's Day. Strong each-way shout.

Form: 711-523

Non-Runners

King's Threshold²⁶

Weight: 11-10| Age: 9

T: Miss E C Lavelle J: Non Runner

Kelce²⁹

Weight: 10-5| Age: 8

T: N P Mulholland J: Bradley Harris

Forecasts

Grand Geste (5/2), Deep Cave (9/2), Dartmoor Pirate (7/1), Josh The Boss (7/1), Joyeux Machin (7/1), Docpickedme (15/2), New Order (9/1), Walking On Air (11/1), Kelce (14/1), King's Threshold (16/1)

It was a significant Haydock handicap in which GRAND GESTE opened his chase account at the third attempt last month, jumping superbly throughout and leaving the strong impression that there is even better to come from him in this sphere. He is taken to defy a 10 lb rise in the weights and follow-up, with the progressive Deep Cave and Walking On Air, who appeared to have Docpickedme where he wanted him when exiting at the final fence in this race last year, both greatly respected.