March 17 / 17.15 Doncaster

17.15

Good

Sky Sports Racing HD Virgin 535 Open Maiden National Hunt Flat Race (Category 3 Elimination) (GBB)

  • Prize money: £2534.88
  • 2m 0f 128y
  • Class 5
  • 10 runners
SKY
View Course
Sky Sports Racing HD Virgin 535 Open Maiden National Hunt Flat Race (Category 3 Elimination) (GBB)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: NH Flat

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

9/2 (Won)

  • Win: £5.20
  • Place: £1.60

Form: 2

Last run: 66 days

W: 11st 5lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
11-2, looked in need of the experience when second of 14 in bumper over C&D in January; winner has gone in since so this Soldier Of Fortune gelding merits consideration.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

25th Jul 2025

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 4

16:23 Uttoxeter

Luckie Seven

11st 9lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Nicky Richards

Launched hurdling career with two good-ground Perth wins last summer (2m4f/2m) and was creditable third on handicap debut at Kelso (2m5f, good to soft) in November; off for 258 days since but remains open to improvement; major player if fully tuned up.

8/1

3rd

4

9th Nov 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 189y

Class 3

12:07 Kelso

Luckie Seven

11st 6lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Nicky Richards

held up in last

3/1

5/1

  • Place: £1.80

Form: 75

Last run: 75 days

W: 10st 9lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Sea The Stars gelding who built on debut seventh when fifth of 14 in Listed bumper at Cheltenham (1m6f) in January; he's firmly in the picture, especially back over 2m.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

27th Jul 2025

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 5

17:07 Uttoxeter

Crystal Mer

11st 10lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Hughie Morrison

Landed a gamble on stable debut over 2m here and might well have defied the 10lb rise on his return visit had he kept himself closer to the winner; up another 4lb but this longer trip promises to help him.

4/1

3

8th Jul 2025

Good

1m 7f 168y

Class 5

20:30 Uttoxeter

Crystal Mer

11st 10lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Hughie Morrison

Still only a 6yo and, on stable debut, it was quite a gamble he landed when sent off odds-on for a C&D handicap (good to soft) a month ago, winning readily under a confident Sean Bowen; could still be well treated despite the 10lb hike.

9/4

10

5th Jun 2025

Good

1m 7f 168y

Class 5

17:05 Uttoxeter

Crystal Mer

10st 8lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Hughie Morrison

Ex-Paul Webber; 0-6 over hurdles but creditable third in a Plumpton handicap (2m, good) in May last year when last seen out; chance off 4lb lower on stable debut.

6/1

7/1

  • Place: £2.60

Form: 5

Last run: 63 days

W: 11st 5lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
4-1, hinted at promise on his debut when staying-on fifth of ten in bumper at Huntingdon in January; this son of Kayf Tara can build on it now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

30th Mar 2026

Good

2m 7f 171y

Class 3

15:57 Ludlow

Destroytheevidence

11st 8lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls

Took the notable scalp of Haiti Couleurs on his chase debut last season and ran well afterwards, including a near miss in this race; poor the last twice (heavy/soft) when tried in a visor but the cheekpieces that have worked well for him are now back on; much respected.

7/2

2

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 2f 1y

Class 2

14:30 Doncaster

Destroytheevidence

11st 11lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls

Beat Haiti Couleurs on his chase debut last season and mostly ran well afterwards; seems back in fair form, as he went close at Ludlow and ran a lot better than a 21l defeat may suggest when visored for the first time at Wincanton (3m2f); that was his first time on heavy ground and it looked a factor in him getting so tired late on; one to consider.

12/1

3rd

3

15th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

3m 2f 162y

Class 3

15:37 Wincanton

Destroytheevidence

11st 9lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls

Beat Haiti Couleurs on his chase debut last season when Isaac Des Obeaux was further back and mostly ran well afterwards; probably needed his first race of the season and he stuck to his task to go down by only a length at Ludlow (3m, good to soft); gives the impression he'll stay all day and a visor could work (replacing cheekpieces; looked lazy at times on that final run).

3/1

Form: 3

Last run: 73 days

W: 11st 5lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Mount Nelson gelding who made a promising start when third of 13 in bumper at Musselburgh (9-2) in January, collared only close home; also finished second in a point so he rates a player with more to offer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

15th Nov 2024

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 5

12:58 Southwell

Easter Junction

11st 10lb

J: Jamie Brace

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

jumped right on occasions, prominent, led 4th, joined 4 out, headed after 3 out, stayed on but no match for winner

15/8

2nd

3

15th Nov 2024

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 5

12:58 Southwell

Easter Junction

11st 10lb

J: Jamie Brace

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

jumped right on occasions, prominent, led 4th, joined 4 out, headed after 3 out, stayed on but no match for winner

15/8

5th

1

1st Jul 2024

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

17:30 Worcester

Easter Junction

11st 12lb

J: William Maggs

T: Donald McCain

Safely held in first two handicaps but took step forward and ran well for a long way when fourth at Bangor (2m3f, good) last month; another 3lb lower here and enters calculations.

7/1

OUR TIP

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 5lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
£22,000 3yo; Ballingarry gelding who is a half-brother to three winners, including Hatos (2m hurdle) and Espinator (2m6f-3m2f hurdle); dam, 1m3f Flat winner, is sister to French 2m3f hurdle winner Barbe Rouge; had wind op ahead of his debut and also tongue tied but he's much respected for leading yard.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

17th Mar 2023

Good

2m 0f 128y

Class 5

17:15 Doncaster

Its Tuesday

11st 5lb

J: Paddy Brennan

T: Fergal O’Brien

£22,000 3yo; Ballingarry gelding who is a half-brother to three winners, including Hatos (2m hurdle) and Espinator (2m6f-3m2f hurdle); dam, 1m3f Flat winner, is sister to French 2m3f hurdle winner Barbe Rouge; had wind op ahead of his debut and also tongue tied but he's much respected for leading yard.

9/2

Form:

Last run:

W: 10st 9lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
18,000gns yearling; Territories gelding who is closely related to Group-placed 6f 2yo winner Elronaq (RPR 102) and a half-brother to three other winners, notably fairly useful Vindolanda (1m4f-1m6f); dam 6f Listed winner; appeals on paper so is one to consider, especially if the market vibes are positive.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

(5)

3rd Apr 2023

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 4

18:00 Newcastle (AW)

Whisky Wolf

10st 2lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

Remote sixth in Doncaster bumper last month when making debut; however, pedigree suggests this scenario is likely to suit him better; improvement possible.

33/1

6th

10

17th Mar 2023

Good

2m 0f 128y

Class 5

17:15 Doncaster

Whisky Wolf

10st 9lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Tim Easterby

18,000gns yearling; Territories gelding who is closely related to Group-placed 6f 2yo winner Elronaq (RPR 102) and a half-brother to three other winners, notably fairly useful Vindolanda (1m4f-1m6f); dam 6f Listed winner; appeals on paper so is one to consider, especially if the market vibes are positive.

12/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 5lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Sans Frontieres gelding; dam, fair 2m2f hurdle winner, is a half-sister to 2m/2m4f hurdle winner Calling Classy; came in last in a point bumper last May so others appeal more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

6

22nd Dec 2023

Heavy

2m 3f 207y

Class 4

12:30 Uttoxeter

Johnthepostman

11st 4lb

J: Mr Geoff Barfoot-Saunt

T: Tracey Barfoot-Saunt

Beaten out of sight at huge odds on both hurdling starts (2m3f/2m4f) and needs the first-time blinkers to generate miraculous improvement.

200/1

6th

2

22nd Nov 2023

Heavy

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

13:40 Ffos Las

Johnthepostman

11st 4lb

J: Mr Geoff Barfoot-Saunt

T: Tracey Barfoot-Saunt

raced in second, lost position with one circuit to go, dropped to last before 6th, struggling from 4 out, tailed off

100/1

13th

5

31st Oct 2023

Good To Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 4

12:55 Chepstow

Johnthepostman

11st 4lb

J: Mr Geoff Barfoot-Saunt

T: Tracey Barfoot-Saunt

Tailed off in first two bumpers and again in a match last time.

200/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
£15,000 4yo; half-brother to fairly useful 2m-2m4f chase winner Midnight Chill; dam, placed in bumper and 2m-2m2f hurdle/chases, is a half-sister to 2m3f-3m hurdle/chase winner Desert Queen and 2m-3m hurdle/chase winner Mister Malarky, both smart; runner-up in a point so this son of Kayf Tara is one to consider; tongue tied.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

17th Mar 2023

Good

2m 0f 128y

Class 5

17:15 Doncaster

Not Bad Are You

11st 5lb

J: Finn Lambert

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

£15,000 4yo; half-brother to fairly useful 2m-2m4f chase winner Midnight Chill; dam, placed in bumper and 2m-2m2f hurdle/chases, is a half-sister to 2m3f-3m hurdle/chase winner Desert Queen and 2m-3m hurdle/chase winner Mister Malarky, both smart; runner-up in a point so this son of Kayf Tara is one to consider; tongue tied.

8/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 5lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Yeats gelding who is a half-brother to useful 2m2f-3m1f hurdle/chase winner Fairyhill Run; dam, fairly useful 2m1f hurdle winner, is a sister to bumper and 2m4f-2m7f hurdle/chase winner Flemish Invader out of 2m4f hurdle winning half-sister to smart staying hurdler Field Conqueror; appeals on paper so newcomer is worth a market check.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

15

29th May 2026

Good

2m 5f 145y

19:00 Tramore

Zolpharine

10st 3lb

J: Daniel King

T: John Patrick Ryan

Impressive handicap chase win at Limerick on latest (22.5f, good); now looks to exploit 12lb lower hurdles mark but hasn't won in this sphere since September 2023; in form, though, and can't discount.

3/1

1st

11

21st May 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 6f 160y

19:18 Limerick

Zolpharine

10st 5lb

J: Daniel King

T: John Patrick Ryan

Second runner for yard; 1-17 over hurdles and extended record to 0-22 over fences on latest at Tramore (2m), jumping mistakes proving costly but beaten only 4l; longer trip not an issue.

8/1

Form:

Last run: 132 days

W: 10st 9lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
28-1, last of 12 in bumper at Aintree in November; he returns tongue tied after his break with lots to find.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

5

29th Jan 2024

Soft

2m 4f 114y

Class 4

13:50 Plumpton

The Old Bull

11st 10lb

J: Beau Morgan

T: Tom Gretton

Tailed off in both bumpers and was beaten out of sight at a massive price on his recent hurdling debut at Doncaster (2m, good to soft).

100/1

12th

10

10th Jan 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 128y

Class 4

12:50 Doncaster

The Old Bull

11st 4lb

J: Luke Scott

T: Tom Gretton

Tailed off at big odds in both bumpers and he needs to be an entirely different proposition on this first hurdle start.

200/1

7th

9

26th Mar 2023

Heavy

2m 1f 0y

Class 5

16:18 Carlisle

The Old Bull

10st 9lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Tom Gretton

28-1, tailed off on debut at Aintree (2m1f, soft) last November; a transformation is required in a first-time tongue-tie.

50/1

Non-runners

Zolpharine, The Old Bull

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £23.70
Straight Forecast £21.88
Trifecta £128.20

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Easter Junction

The Times:

It's Tuesday

The Guardian:

Luckie Seven

Telegraph:

It's Tuesday

The Star:

It's Tuesday

Daily Record:

Luckie Seven

RP Ratings:

Easter Junction

TOPSPEED:

Easter Junction

POSTDATA:

Easter Junction

Daily Mail:

Easter Junction

D Express:

Easter Junction

Daily Mirror:

Easter Junction

The Sun:

Easter Junction