December 10 / 15.15 Doncaster

15.15

Good

bet365 Novices’ Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £4683.56
  • 2m 3f 88y
  • Class 4
  • 6 runners
ITV4
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bet365 Novices’ Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 6 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

Form: 0-2140 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 12st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
On the upgrade when a comfortable odds-on winner of a 2m4f handicap at Ffos Las (good) but he went up 10lb for that and has struggled since; dropped only 2lb.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

1st Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 1y

Class 3

16:20 Fakenham

Watergrange Jack

11st 11lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Neil Mulholland

prominent, lost ground after 2nd, dropped to last after 4th, detached before 4 out, weakened before 2 out

9/2

5th

2

1st Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 1y

Class 3

16:20 Fakenham

Watergrange Jack

11st 11lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Neil Mulholland

prominent, lost ground after 2nd, dropped to last after 4th, detached before 4 out, weakened before 2 out

9/2

7

26th Oct 2024

Good

3m 2f 39y

Class 2

15:55 Kelso

Watergrange Jack

10st 7lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Neil Mulholland

Unseated early last time at Perth; it was an ordinary handicap by Class 2 standards that he won at Worcester (2m4f, good) the time before but that was all very straightforward as he jumped well out in front; could catch some of these cold from a fitness perspective.

12/1

OUR TIP

Abandoned

Form: 4U63/4

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 8lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced 7yo who was third of 16 in a novice here before going missing for 680 days; not knocked about when beaten 25l on his recent handicap debut (2m4f, soft) and he can build on that; likely contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

26th Dec 2022

Good To Soft

2m 4f 145y

Class 4

13:47 Huntingdon

Ewood Park

11st 5lb

J: A P Heskin

T: Olly Murphy

No improvement for the step up in trip and switch to handicaps at Southwell last month (2m4f, soft) but that was his first start for 680 days; this should give a better indication as to where he is at present.

16/1

Form: 57226-

Last run: 347 days

W: 11st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced handicap debutant who should be fairly treated given the RPR of 109 that he delivered when runner-up in a Sedgefield novice 13 months ago; however, after a lengthy absence, market confidence would be welcomed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

24th May 2025

Good

2m 5f 34y

Class 5

19:08 Cartmel

Fearless Action

11st 7lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Chris Grant

Produced good performance to win by 6l at Sedgefield (2m, good) in March but has not been in the same form again since, and he failed to convince stamina-wise on his three previous attempts at about 2m4f.

6/1

2

24th May 2025

Good

2m 5f 34y

Class 5

19:08 Cartmel

Fearless Action

11st 7lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Chris Grant

Produced good performance to win by 6l at Sedgefield (2m, good) in March but has not been in the same form again since, and he failed to convince stamina-wise on his three previous attempts at about 2m4f.

6/1

4th

4

13th May 2025

Good

2m 0f 77y

Class 5

18:40 Sedgefield

Fearless Action

11st 11lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Chris Grant

in touch with leaders early, towards rear after 2nd, hampered by faller 2 out, headway before last, no telling impression

6/1

Form: 543-28

Last run: 43 days

W: 11st 3lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Still a maiden but career-best effort when second of eight at Southwell (2m4f, good) earlier this year and he may have needed his comeback run; Brian Hughes is booked.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

4

15th Feb 2023

Good

2m 3f 154y

Class 5

16:50 Wetherby

Mr Dealer

11st 9lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: Ashley Dodgson

Veteran who is still a maiden; made the frame a few times last spring; well held in handicaps here the last twice; others preferred.

33/1

10th

12

26th Dec 2022

Good To Soft

2m 3f 154y

Class 4

13:00 Wetherby

Mr Dealer

11st 2lb

J: Jack Hogan

T: Ashley Dodgson

10yo who ran a couple of fair races in the spring and he may have needed the run here in October; however, he finished down the field in that handicap and is now 0-12; others have more pressing claims.

50/1

8

11th Dec 2022

Good

2m 4f 88y

Class 4

15:28 Southwell

Mr Dealer

11st 2lb

J: Emma Smith-Chaston

T: Ashley Dodgson

declared 3.15 Doncaster yesterday

Form: 376603

Last run: 24 days

W: 10st 11lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
0-7; took a good hold under Roisin Leech so did well to remain on the scene over 2m4f at Hexham (soft) last month; an easier test around here should be of some benefit.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

6th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 189y

Class 5

16:00 Kelso

Maillot Blanc

11st 12lb

J: Dominic Hislop

T: N W Alexander

Won a 3m Perth handicap last term (good); comes into the reckoning following two sound runs last month when third over 2m6f here (good; form sound) and when second over 3m at Perth (good).

4/1

2nd

4

22nd Apr 2026

Soft

2m 7f 207y

Class 5

17:12 Perth

Maillot Blanc

11st 6lb

J: Miss Jesika Rennie

T: N W Alexander

C&D winner off 3lb lower last June (good); clear of the remainder when 3.5l third in a decent race at Kelso last time (2m5f, good; winner went on to win 2m Scottish Champion Hurdle); has won on soft; interesting contender.

9/2

3rd

8

2nd Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 189y

Class 4

16:15 Kelso

Maillot Blanc

10st 3lb

J: Dominic Hislop

T: N W Alexander

Runner-up off this mark over C&D (good to soft) in November; however, this inconsistent 9yo has won just two of his 27 starts and was down the field at Musselburgh later in November when last seen; others appeal more.

14/1

Form: 4-035

Last run: 19 days

W: 10st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
0-7 in Ireland, mostly in points; flattered to get so close to the promising Rubaud (won again on Thursday) on his penultimate run and then finished well held at Kempton behind another decent prospect; has to be of interest now his attentions are turned to handicaps; cheekpieces are a first.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

4th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 191y

Class 5

14:10 Market Rasen

Gavroche Dallier

10st 10lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

0-11 under rules; back from a long absence to finish third on his chase debut (2m4f, soft; beaten about 14l) and the dreaded 'bounce' appeared to rear its ugly head when tailed off back at Leicester over Christmas; the removal of cheekpieces (wore no headgear two runs back) could help matters; should stay.

13/2

6th

8

4th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 191y

Class 5

14:10 Market Rasen

Gavroche Dallier

10st 10lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

0-11 under rules; back from a long absence to finish third on his chase debut (2m4f, soft; beaten about 14l) and the dreaded 'bounce' appeared to rear its ugly head when tailed off back at Leicester over Christmas; the removal of cheekpieces (wore no headgear two runs back) could help matters; should stay.

13/2

4th

4

28th Dec 2024

Soft

2m 6f 151y

Class 5

13:55 Leicester

Gavroche Dallier

11st 1lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

0-6 in points, 0-8 over hurdles and his third on chase/stable debut here a month ago was fairly remote; no real significance in the return of cheekpieces but it wasn't a bad latest run and this race is weak.

7/4

Verdict

Ewood Park could easily leave his latest run behind and he looks a danger, but GAVROCHE D’ALLIER has shown some ability in races won by good novices and he has to be of interest now tackling his first handicap. The booking of Brian Hughes heightens interest in Mr Dealer.[Alistair Jones]

Selections

RP Ratings:

Maillot Blanc

SPOTLIGHT:

Gavroche D'allier

Telegraph:

Ewood Park

TOPSPEED:

Maillot Blanc

D Express:

Maillot Blanc

Daily Mirror:

Maillot Blanc

The Sun:

Maillot Blanc

The Star:

Maillot Blanc

Daily Record:

Maillot Blanc

POSTDATA:

Gavroche D'allier

The Times:

Gavroche D'allier

The Guardian:

Gavroche D'allier

Daily Mail:

Gavroche D'allier