15:57 Doncaster

Friday 27 February 2026

All13:5014:2014:5015:2215:5716:3017:05

Virgin Bet Doncaster Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:57 | Winning time: 6m 33.18s

Highbury Hill³¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: Bryan Carver| T: N J Hawke| OR: 100

8/1

Bounced back from a rare poor effort at Uttoxeter in December when opening her account in 19.4f Chepstow handicap. 2 lb nudge fair enough and there can be hope that this trip will be within her range but the quality of the opposition here may be a stumbling block.

Form: 25-2371

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Swift Jet^p³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Harry Bannister| T: R T Phillips| OR: 100

22/1

Fair maiden hurdler who recorded a good third at Ludlow in first-time cheekpieces in December. Has followed that with a couple of non-completions, though, and others are more appealing.

Form: 66-P3FF

Les's Destiny Star^t1³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: Kielan Woods| T: B Pauling| OR: 99| C

16/1

Bumper winner on debut here in December 2024 and while he hasn't made much of an impact in 3 qualifying runs over hurdles at up to 21.7f, improvement could be on the way now upped in trip for this handicap bow.

Form: 12/0-4P8

Geordie Night^t⁶²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Tom Broughton⁽⁵⁾| T: N Kent| OR: 96

18/1

Had wind op (also tongue tied) before getting off the mark in 7-runner handicap hurdle at Uttoxeter (23f, good to soft) last May. However, below par both starts since returning from a break in November and others look stronger.

Form: 235-166

Mr Griffiths⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 94

4/11

Major improver switched to handicaps the last twice, following his Fontwell breakthrough success with an emphatic display in a race for conditions and amateurs at Warwick (3¼m, soft) last week. Escapes a penalty for that and will take the world of beating.

Form: 745-811

Scairp Dubh¹¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Jack Power⁽⁵⁾| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 93

6/1

Has gradually progressed since making his way in handicaps, scoring with a bit to spare at Carlisle (19.3f, soft) recently. With no penalty to carry and this stiffer test likely to be in his favour, he should make his presence felt.

Form: 765641

Pooroldmackley⁶⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: Miss Eleanor Williams⁽⁷⁾| T: Evan Williams| OR: 87

40/1

Better than ever when recording third career success in an 11-runner Worcester handicap hurdle (23f, good) at the end of August. Found things too competitive over fences next time, though, and then ran poorly back in this sphere at Fakenham.

Form: 34513P

Non-Runners

Be The Difference¹⁷

Weight: 12-0| Age: 10

T: P A Kirby J: Freddie Keighley

Jonquilla⁶⁸

Weight: 11-9| Age: 7

T: Mrs S J Humphrey J: R P McLernon

Star Vantage⁶²

Weight: 10-11| Age: 9

T: R Menzies J: Charlie Maggs

Forecasts

Mr Griffiths (4/11), Scairp Dubh (6/1), Highbury Hill (8/1), Jonquilla (14/1), Les's Destiny Star (16/1), Geordie Night (18/1), Be The Difference (20/1), Swift Jet (22/1), Star Vantage (25/1), Pooroldmackley (40/1)

Officially 12 lb 'well-in' after routing the opposition at Warwick last week, MR GRIFFITHS is hard to oppose. Indeed, a reproduction of that would almost certainly be good enough but it's highly likely that this lightly raced and progressive 6-y-o is capable of better still. Scairp Dubh is also unpenalised for his recent Carlisle success (due to go up 5 lb for that) and he is clear second choice ahead of handicap debutant Les's Destiny Star.