January 28 / 14.40 Doncaster

14.40

Good

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

  • Prize money: £22780
  • 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

9/2 (Won)

  • Win: £7.50
  • Place: £1.60

Form: 11-113

Last run: 57 days

W: 11st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 128

Form & Verdict
All starts on soft/good to soft; made it 5-5 with convincing win in Bangor novice (2m7f, soft) in November and creditable third in Grade 2 at Sandown last time (2m4f, soft; bled from the nose); has had wind surgery and the step up in trip could be a firm plus; he's on the shortlist.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13

18th Apr 2026

Soft

3m 7f 176y

Class 1

15:35 Ayr

Maximilian

11st 1lb

J: William Maggs

T: Donald McCain

Missed 2024 and came up a bit short in his six races since, sent chasing for his five starts this term; shaped as if he stayed when third of five on the step up to 3m4f at Haydock last time but he needs much better than that; perhaps the subsequent wind surgery (his second) will help his cause.

25/1

3rd

2

5th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 4f 97y

Class 3

14:45 Haydock

Maximilian

11st 11lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

A useful winning novice hurdler back in 2022/23; lightly raced since and has failed to win in four small-field events over fences this term, just a fair third of six in 23f Kelso handicap 20 days ago; has his first run beyond 3m here and needs it to spark improvement.

4/1

3rd

3

13th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 96y

Class 2

15:00 Kelso

Maximilian

11st 7lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

Runner-up in Grade 1 novice hurdle at Aintree (3m, soft) in April 2023 prior to very long absence; this 10yo has been runner-up in beginners'/novice chases on his three starts this season (2m5f/3m), bumping into the classy Wendigo last time, and he could be a contender now tackling a handicap.

9/2

9/4

  • Place: £1.50

Form: 1

Last run: 64 days

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Bought for £305,000 after winning on his debut in an Irish maiden point (3m, good) in December 2021 and he impressed on his stable debut in a novice hurdle at Newbury (2m4f, good) in November, when staying on well to win by 5l; he's an exciting prospect for this top yard and is a major player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

14th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 58y

Class 2

15:50 Haydock

Stay Away Fay

12st 0lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Paul Nicholls

Had struggled badly in recent years but belatedly showed a smart level of ability remains when second over C&D (soft) in first-time blinkers (retained) four weeks ago; put back up 4lb but retains handicapping scope if building on that, with his top stable's good form providing hope that he can.

12/1

2nd

1

17th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 58y

Class 3

14:35 Haydock

Stay Away Fay

12st 0lb

J: Miss Olive Nicholls

T: Paul Nicholls

Won a Grade 1 novice hurdle and Grade 2 novice chase in 2023; his mark continues to tumble but for good reason and a major revival is required with first-time blinkers replacing cheekpieces.

25/1

25

5th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

4m 2f 74y

Class 1

16:00 Aintree

Stay Away Fay

10st 9lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Paul Nicholls

Won Grade 1 novice hurdle at the 2023 Cheltenham Festival (3m, soft) and made a promising start to chasing career last season, when he continued to look all about stamina; his career has taken a spectacular wrong turn since but there was a slight hint last time of getting back on track.

66/1

20/1

  • Place: £3.90

Form: 53-213 C BF

Last run: 33 days

W: 11st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 121

Form & Verdict
Beat a next-time-out winner when scoring here (2m5f, good) in November and solid third at Huntingdon (2m3f, good to soft) since; however, his limitations are again likely to be exposed in today's company.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

31st May 2026

Good

2m 5f 44y

Class 3

16:37 Fakenham

Hurricane Bay

11st 12lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Lucy Wadham

Well below best last season but exploited some help from the handicapper when winning in pretty good style at Huntingdon (2m4f, good) this month; even after a 5lb rise, he's still 5lb lower than when winning this race in 2025; good chance.

7/4

1st

2

7th May 2026

Good

2m 3f 189y

Class 4

13:45 Huntingdon

Hurricane Bay

11st 11lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Lucy Wadham

Well handicapped if judged on his two good-ground wins in cheekpieces last spring (2m7f/2m5f) but has been well below best (in various headgear) in recent months; ran well for a long way before weakening quickly at Market Rasen (3m, good) last time and might benefit from this drop back in trip but others have much less to prove.

10/1

5th

1

14th Apr 2026

Good

2m 7f 191y

Class 4

13:35 Market Rasen

Hurricane Bay

12st 0lb

J: Mr Cian Murphy

T: Lucy Wadham

Well handicapped if judged on his two good-ground wins in cheekpieces last spring (2m7f/2m5f) but has been out of form (in various headgear) in recent months; sure to appreciate this ease in grade but needs to turn a corner; cheekpieces refitted.

10/1

Form: 21-141

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 124

Form & Verdict
Point (3m) and bumper winner who has won two of his three hurdle starts (2m4f/2m3f, good/soft), with a respectable fourth of six in a Grade 2 at Sandown in between (2m4f, soft; Maximilian third); the step up in trip could prompt improvement but others have stronger credentials.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

22nd Jan 2024

Frozen

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

14:35 Warwick

Park This One

12st 2lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Jamie Snowden

Point (3m) and bumper winner who won two of his four hurdle starts (2m4f/2m3f, good/soft), with one of the defeats coming in a Grade 2 at Sandown; doesn't look on too bad a mark and his trainer has been looking forward to getting him over fences.

9/2

4th

6

28th Jan 2023

Good

3m 0f 84y

Class 1

14:40 Doncaster

Park This One

11st 0lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Jamie Snowden

took keen hold, prominent, not fluent 3rd

16/1

Form: 2523-1

Last run: 97 days

W: 11st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 126

Form & Verdict
Built upon the promise shown in Ireland when winning on his stable debut in a maiden at Aintree (2m4f, good to soft) in October; may have more to offer for this yard but it was a first win at the 14th attempt last time and he could be up against it in this higher grade.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

25th Apr 2026

Good

2m 6f 164y

Class 1

14:20 Sandown

Mahons Glory

11st 2lb

J: Lee Edwards

T: Dylan Cunha

Broadly consistent in handicaps for current yard and ran respectably in the Topham at Aintree (2m5f) most recently; made all, despite jumping left, at Huntingdon (2m4f; also on good to soft) the time before; this is a harder task.

16/1

6th

19

10th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 19y

Class 1

16:05 Aintree

Mahons Glory

10st 7lb

J: Lee Edwards

T: Dylan Cunha

10yo who has a career-high mark following easy win in a small field at Huntingdon (2m4f, good to soft); however, he enjoyed himself in front in the Grand Sefton (2m5f, good to soft; fourth) and the Becher (3m2f, soft; fifth) over these fences earlier in the season and can make another bold bid.

16/1

1st

2

1st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 189y

Class 3

14:45 Huntingdon

Mahons Glory

11st 13lb

J: Lee Edwards

T: Dylan Cunha

Consistent form for current yard includes a couple of creditable efforts over the National fences at Aintree; beaten favourite in veterans' event at Market Rasen (2m5f) most recently but fared best of the rest behind the easy winner; solid claims.

11/4

9/1

Form: -12121 D

Last run: 82 days

W: 11st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 132

Form & Verdict
Has a point/hunter chase background and won over fences in October; good second on hurdle debut at Cheltenham (3m, good) later that month and subsequently bolted up at 1-4 at Kempton (2m5f, good to soft); Beau Morgan can't claim but he's worth a second look given his trainer won this in 2019 and 2021.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

23rd May 2026

Good

3m 0f 30y

Class 2

16:10 Bangor-on-Dee

Twig

12st 0lb

J: Beau Morgan

T: Ben Pauling

Second at the 2024 Cheltenham Festival and he started last season with two wins, including a gritty success in the Becher at Aintree (3m2f); struggled in the Grand National last month but he's now only 2lb higher than for his last win and looks interesting on this drop back in trip and class; last success was on soft but most of his wins have been on good ground.

5/2

15th

34

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

4m 2f 74y

Class 1

16:00 Aintree

Twig

10st 4lb

J: Beau Morgan

T: Ben Pauling

Second at the 2024 Cheltenham Festival and started this season with two wins, notably by a short head from Mr Vango in the 3m2f Becher over these fences (wore cheekpieces second time); warmed up for this over hurdles after three months off; the Becher performance was doughty stuff but his only go at a marathon trip was last year's National in which he finished a remote tenth, always behind.

40/1

7th

4

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 70y

Class 2

14:25 Uttoxeter

Twig

11st 7lb

J: Beau Morgan

T: Ben Pauling

Useful chaser who is 2-2 this season, latest success in notable race at Aintree; however, lower mark over hurdles reflects his level in this sphere and main target is again the Grand National next month.

20/1

OUR TIP

Form: 7-7111 D

Last run: 41 days

W: 11st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 135

Form & Verdict
Has won maiden/novice hurdles in Ireland on his last three starts (2m7f-3m1f, good-yielding); represents last year's winning yard and he's respected despite the up-and-coming Ben Harvey being unable to claim his usual 5lb.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

11th Oct 2025

Yielding

3m 0f 104y

15:27 Fairyhouse

Grand Soir

11st 12lb

J: Alex Harvey

T: John C McConnell

Three-time winner over hurdles in 2022; hasn't had much racing since; fourth in a Wexford beginners' chase in March but below that level at Kilbeggan next time; questions to answer.

12/1

8th

4

25th Apr 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 6f 120y

19:25 Kilbeggan

Grand Soir

11st 12lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: John C McConnell

prominent

8/1

8th

4

25th Apr 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 6f 120y

19:25 Kilbeggan

Grand Soir

11st 12lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: John C McConnell

prominent

8/1

Form: 3112 D

Last run: 99 days

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 134

Form & Verdict
Won two in a row this season (2m/3m, good/soft) before a good second at Cheltenham (2m4f, good) on final run for Ann Duffield; Patrick Neville has done extremely well with The Real Whacker, who has made the same trainer switch; might not be far away despite Tom Midgley being unable to claim.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

3rd Feb 2024

Soft

2m 3f 154y

Class 3

14:42 Wetherby

The Wounded Knee

11st 10lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Roger Fell & Sean Murray

Looked very promising in autumn 2022 but ran just three times last year and struggled; lots to prove on first start since last June.

25/1

Form: 13

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 132

Form & Verdict
Finished alone to win 3m point (yielding to soft) on debut last February and made it 2-2 with easy win in Worcester maiden hurdle (2m4f, soft) in October; third (albeit soundly beaten) in the Grade 1 Challow at Newbury (2m4f, soft) latest and could improve for this longer trip; one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

14

25th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 214y

Class 1

15:15 Doncaster

Idalko Bihoue

10st 13lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

in touch with leaders

10/1

8th

14

25th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 214y

Class 1

15:15 Doncaster

Idalko Bihoue

10st 13lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

in touch with leaders

10/1

5th

1

30th Dec 2024

Heavy

2m 3f 203y

Class 3

13:30 Haydock

Idalko Bihoue

12st 0lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

in touch with leaders, raced slightly wide back straight

3/1

Form: P36

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
3m point winner who was a fair third at Uttoxeter last month on the middle of his three hurdle starts, but dramatic improvement is needed in today's company and his trainer has much more realistic claims with Twig.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

5

23rd May 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

17:23 Worcester

Rock On Cowboy

11st 5lb

J: Tom Broughton

T: Barry Brennan

Never progressed for Ben Pauling but has run well in three of his four starts for current yard and he did well to floor the higher-rated favourite in a 2m3f Warwick maiden hurdle last month (good); if taking to fences, he can run better than he did in his two handicaps over hurdles.

3/1

2nd

5

23rd May 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

17:23 Worcester

Rock On Cowboy

11st 5lb

J: Tom Broughton

T: Barry Brennan

Never progressed for Ben Pauling but has run well in three of his four starts for current yard and he did well to floor the higher-rated favourite in a 2m3f Warwick maiden hurdle last month (good); if taking to fences, he can run better than he did in his two handicaps over hurdles.

3/1

1st

7

24th Apr 2025

Good

2m 3f 0y

Class 4

13:35 Warwick

Rock On Cowboy

11st 6lb

J: Tom Broughton

T: Barry Brennan

led, headed 3 out, outpaced before 2 out, ridden and rallied approaching last, led again run-in, kept on well final 110yds, gamely

5/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £21.40
Straight Forecast £21.78
Tricast £246.13
Trifecta £363.50

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Stay Away Fay

POSTDATA:

Idalko Bihoue

RP Ratings:

Grand Soir

The Times:

Maximilian

LAMBOURN:

Park This One

WEST COUNTRY:

Idalko Bihoue

Telegraph:

Idalko Bihoue

Daily Mail:

Idalko Bihoue

Daily Mirror:

Stay Away Fay

The Sun:

Stay Away Fay

The Star:

Stay Away Fay

Daily Record:

Stay Away Fay

D Express:

Maximilian

TOPSPEED:

Grand Soir

The Guardian:

Grand Soir