January 27 / 14.40 Doncaster

14.40

Good

Albert Bartlett River Don Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £31322.5
  • 3m 0f 84y
  • Class 1
  • 10 runners
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Albert Bartlett River Don Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

7/1 (Won)

  • Win: £8.00
  • Place: £2.10

Form: 14

Last run: 42 days

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 124

Form & Verdict
Pointing background; Kelso winner (2m6f, good to soft) who coped well with the rise in class to finish fourth over 3m at Cheltenham; there's no glaring reason as to why he should reverse placings with runner-up Destroytheevidence.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

15th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 58y

Class 1

14:40 Haydock

Kerryhill

11st 5lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Ruth Jefferson

Won a Grade 2 novice hurdle at Doncaster (3m, good) last January and he's had wind surgery since being pulled up here in November on his only run this season; he's a lightly raced 7yo who retains potential but a leap of improvement is needed and it's hard to be confident after last time.

25/1

5/2

  • Place: £1.30

Form: 21

Last run: 36 days

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
Irish point winner; just failed to get up over 2m3f at Ascot (good) on rules debut but went one better over 2m5f (good to soft) back there a month ago when never stronger than at the finish; has a not dissimilar profile to the stable's high-class Stay Away Fay who went close in this 12 months ago; promising.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

23rd Mar 2026

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 3

16:05 Kempton

Welcom To Cartries

11st 13lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Contrasting performances since switched to handicap chases, winning narrowly at Sandown then folding tamely at Ascot, both over 3m; presents a dilemma but could have more to offer provided he's back on song and it's too soon to write him off.

3/1

3

17th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 185y

Class 3

13:00 Ascot

Welcom To Cartries

11st 11lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Lightly raced 8yo who held on narrowly at Sandown (3m, good to soft; handicap chase debut) most recently, adding to his point/hurdle wins and posting a career-best performance; may be capable of further improvement in this sphere and commands respect.

4/1

12/1

  • Place: £3.60

Form: 23-217 C

Last run: 26 days

W: 11st 0lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 128

Form & Verdict
Winning chaser who belatedly got off the mark over hurdles in a Chepstow novice (2m7f, heavy; 11-8f); only seventh next time in a 3m Cheltenham handicap and he's not got the obvious profile for a race of this nature.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 136y

Class 4

14:50 Chepstow

The Newest One

11st 7lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

11yo who was runner-up at Warwick (3m, good to soft) on New Year's Eve but he's had a heavy defeat and a fall in two subsequent runs; new headgear is now tried but he's hard to predict and has not won since October 2024; down the list.

8/1

4

28th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 10y

Class 4

15:45 Uttoxeter

The Newest One

11st 13lb

J: Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

11yo who was runner-up at Warwick (3m, good to soft) on New Year's Eve but he's hard to predict and was tailed off at Ludlow (visor added) last time; comes with risks attached and he needs to bounce back again.

12/1

6th

4

18th Feb 2026

2m 7f 171y

Class 4

15:35 Ludlow

The Newest One

11st 9lb

J: Miss Amber Jackson-Fennell

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

11yo who has an up-and-down profile but finished second at Warwick (3m, good to soft) on New Year's Eve; versatile ground-wise; major player if backing up that good performance with another; wears a first-time visor.

5/2

OUR TIP

Form: 312112 D

Last run: 42 days

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
Perked up the application of cheekpieces to win comfortably on consecutive visits to Kempton, a 2m5f novice (good) and 3m handicap (good to soft); surpassed all that when keeping on for second behind a smart prospect of Nicky Henderson's in a 3m soft-ground Grade 2 at Cheltenham (raced prominently); that form is right up there and he stays well.
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

8/1

Form: 235-21

Last run: 49 days

W: 11st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
Beaten in three bumpers; best of the rest behind today's Cheltenham runner Gidleigh Park on his hurdling debut at Exeter (2m, good to soft) before winning with a bit in hand at Chepstow (2m3f, heavy); that form is no great advertisement for his prospects at this level but he's up distance and should improve some more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

14th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 3f 63y

Class 2

14:25 Ascot

Range

10st 10lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Sam Thomas

Acts on any ground; had very little to spare at Sandown (2m4f) most recently but the runner-up has franked the form since; still competitively treated back up 2lb, assuming he takes to first-time headgear.

8/1

4

30th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 98y

Class 3

14:47 Stratford

Range

11st 5lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Sam Thomas

Did not make any significant further progress after making all for clearcut success at Chepstow (2m3f, good to soft) last November but is still quite lightly raced over fences and makes his seasonal debut from a workable mark; can make a bold bid.

7/2

4

30th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 98y

Class 3

14:47 Stratford

Range

11st 5lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Sam Thomas

Did not make any significant further progress after making all for clearcut success at Chepstow (2m3f, good to soft) last November but is still quite lightly raced over fences and makes his seasonal debut from a workable mark; can make a bold bid.

7/2

Form: 125

Last run: 32 days

W: 11st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 129

Form & Verdict
Irish stable won this two years ago with the now smart chaser Mahler Mission; the form of his second at Kelso (through the winner) gives him a similar sort of chance to Kerryhill and perhaps the soft to heavy ground wasn't up his street when failing to fire in a 2m7f Grade 2 at Limerick a month ago; perhaps placed at best.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

20th Oct 2024

Good

3m 5f 48y

Class 2

16:20 Sedgefield

Dripsey Moon

11st 5lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

Has done very well this season for new yard over fences, winning twice at Perth (2m4f, good) and going close there (2m4f, good) last time; he's going into the unknown stamina-wise but was a close second over 3m2f at Newton Abbot (good to soft) in July and this progressive 7yo is not ruled out.

11/2

2nd

1

26th Sep 2024

Good

2m 4f 20y

Class 3

13:52 Perth

Dripsey Moon

11st 10lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

Sent straight chasing by Donald McCain and has finished first or second in all four starts from 2m4f to 3m2f; jumped well out in front to win over C&D 17 days ago off just 2lb lower; might be vulnerable to something better handicapped but has a solid chance.

6/4

1st

2

9th Sep 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 20y

Class 3

14:30 Perth

Dripsey Moon

11st 7lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

Made it 2-2 at Perth when making all to beat a few of these here 23 days ago, fending off Parisencore by just under a length; had nothing in hand but he's only 2lb higher.

5/2

Form: 25-14

Last run: 66 days

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Likely that he failed to give his true running when a remote fourth at Warwick (2m5f, soft) having previously looked good in winning on good ground at Exeter (2m2f); remains a horse of interest and his dam won over this far.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

28th Feb 2024

Heavy

2m 7f 32y

Class 4

16:50 Bangor-on-Dee

Big Fish

12st 0lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Emma Lavelle

raced in second, lost position gradually 9th, going okay when broke down and pulled up quickly after 3 out

6/1

7th

1

27th Jan 2024

Good

3m 0f 84y

Class 1

14:40 Doncaster

Big Fish

11st 0lb

J: Joe Anderson

T: Emma Lavelle

Likely that he failed to give his true running when a remote fourth at Warwick (2m5f, soft) having previously looked good in winning on good ground at Exeter (2m2f); remains a horse of interest and his dam won over this far.

20/1

4th

1

22nd Nov 2023

Heavy

2m 5f 0y

Class 4

14:05 Warwick

Big Fish

11st 7lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Emma Lavelle

in touch with leaders, not fluent 2nd, went second 6th, lost second 4 out, not fluent and lost third 3 out, weakening when mistake last

7/2

Form: -31231

Last run: 38 days

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
Winning for a second time over hurdles when taking a four-runner Ayr novice (2m4f, soft) by 7l just before Christmas and the Grade 2 he contested the time before was over an inadequate 2m; there are stayers in the family and he needs a second look.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Form: 5-511 D

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Made all in a Listowel bumper (2m4f, yielding to soft) on final Irish outing in September; made a winning debut for this yard at Musselburgh (3m, soft) but it wasn't impressive and he's likely to be exposed at this loftier level.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

17th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 191y

Class 4

15:45 Market Rasen

Chosen Templar

11st 3lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: D J Jeffreys

Bumper and maiden hurdle winner (3m, soft) who ran well for a long way on last month's chase and handicap debut at Ludlow (2m4f, good to soft), which came after a 288-day break; shaped as though he needed that run and he could have a part to play now back up in trip.

12/1

11

17th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 191y

Class 4

15:45 Market Rasen

Chosen Templar

11st 3lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: D J Jeffreys

Bumper and maiden hurdle winner (3m, soft) who ran well for a long way on last month's chase and handicap debut at Ludlow (2m4f, good to soft), which came after a 288-day break; shaped as though he needed that run and he could have a part to play now back up in trip.

12/1

5th

1

18th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 11y

Class 4

15:10 Ludlow

Chosen Templar

12st 1lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: D J Jeffreys

Irish bumper win came over this far (made all) and he's added a 3m hurdle since, so assertive strategy likely here; chase/point scorers in pedigree (nephew of prolific Templer) augur well for a move to fences.

9/2

Form: 16-221

Last run: 25 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 121

Form & Verdict
Won two of his four bumpers (heavy/good to soft); runner-up in a pair of 2m hurdles but improved for 2m4f when making all at Ayr (heavy) and he might well progress again for going this far; couldn't rule out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

26th Feb 2026

Soft

3m 0f 26y

Class 3

16:10 Wetherby

Esprit Du Potier

12st 0lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

He's run with credit this season on two of his three starts since returning from a long absence, returning to form when third of seven at Kelso (2m6f, good to soft) in December; his novice hurdle wins came on heavy ground and he could have more to offer now back up in trip; on the shortlist.

9/1

4th

4

1st Nov 2025

Soft

3m 0f 70y

Class 3

13:58 Ayr

Esprit Du Potier

11st 4lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

4-10 under rules, posting a personal best when slamming four rivals in novice hurdle at Newcastle (2m4f, heavy) in March 2024; in much deeper when down the field in Grade 1 novice at Aintree the following month, and has not been seen since; retains potential and will probably stay 3m, so he's quite an interesting candidate despite a lengthy absence.

9/2

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £21.20
Straight Forecast £20.92
Tricast £230.36
Trifecta £186.20

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Destroytheevidence

The Times:

I Love My Baie

Daily Record:

Welcom To Cartries

Telegraph:

Esprit Du Potier

The Guardian:

Range

TOPSPEED:

The Newest One

D Express:

I Love My Baie

RP RATINGS:

Destroytheevidence

POSTDATA:

Destroytheevidence

WEST COUNTRY:

Destroytheevidence

Daily Mail:

Destroytheevidence

Daily Mirror:

Destroytheevidence