January 25 / 14.05 Doncaster

14.05

Good To Soft

Pertemps Network River Don Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £42712.5
  • 3m 0f 84y
  • Class 1
  • 7 runners
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Pertemps Network River Don Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

Runners: 7 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

Form: /7-112

Last run: 42 days

W: 11st 3lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 132

Form & Verdict
Won in November on his first two hurdle starts (2m4f/2m5f, good) before highly creditable second in Grade 2 at Cheltenham last month (3m, good to soft; beaten about 7l); he was fine at the trip and has leading claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

14

12th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 127y

Class 1

14:00 Cheltenham

Western Knight

10st 10lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Failed to complete a hat-trick but was far from discredited at Ascot (3m, good to soft) last time in the Reynoldstown, which was won 12 months earlier by a stablemate who subsequently finished second in the Ultima at this meeting; may have more to offer back down in distance, being 4-4 at 2m3f-2m5f; the tea leaves are signalling that he'll run well.

28/1

2nd

4

14th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 185y

Class 1

13:50 Ascot

Western Knight

11st 2lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Joe Tizzard

Record of 2-3 since switched to fences, most recently scoring at Doncaster (2m3f, soft); has form at up to 3m; open to further improvement and his stable has a good record in this contest; interesting.

3/1

1st

3

23rd Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 31y

Class 3

13:15 Doncaster

Western Knight

11st 8lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Runner-up in Grade 2 novice hurdle last season and he left his chase debut well behind to win a three-runner beginners' chase at Haydock (2m5f, good to soft) last month; open to further improvement and could have a big say in a first-time tongue-tie; showed promise on soft ground in a bumper.

4/1

Form: 2-3

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
3m point winner (heavy) who has shown ability on both rules starts (2m/2m3f, heavy/good) and improvement is possible now up in trip in a first-time tongue-tie; however, others possess much stronger form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

26th Feb 2024

Heavy

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

17:20 Ayr

Frisby

11st 2lb

J: Mr Paddy Hanlon

T: Patrick Neville

Recorded an 8l success in heavy-ground Irish point two months ago, drawing clear after the final fence; subsequently sold for £40,000; dam placed in bumpers; one to consider.

9/2

Form: 1

Last run: 66 days

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won Irish maiden point (3m, heavy) last April on his third start and made all by 6l on his rules debut at Ffos Las (2m4f, soft) in November; the runner-up and the fourth both won next time and his trainer won this in 2019 and 2021; could have a big part to play.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

7th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 91y

Class 3

15:55 Newbury

Jigs Forge

11st 10lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Ben Pauling

Sixth in 2025 Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham; highly likely that the long odds-on favourite failed to give his running when this 7yo prevailed in a match over 2m6f here in December but it was no-nonsense stuff from the front and his first run over fences at Cheltenham was also encouraging (on soft); unexposed chaser who is in the Grade 1 Brown Advisory at Cheltenham; respected.

9/2

7

23rd Apr 2025

Good

2m 7f 207y

Class 1

14:48 Perth

Jigs Forge

11st 2lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Belied his huge odds with a good effort in the Albert Bartlett, eventually weakening into sixth place having held every chance turning for home; could go well again.

10/1

7th

7

23rd Apr 2025

Good

2m 7f 207y

Class 1

14:48 Perth

Jigs Forge

11st 2lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

prominent

10/1

Form: 10-211

Last run: 41 days

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
Soft-ground bumper winner who won easily at Warwick (2m5f, good to soft) in November on his second hurdle start and cosily followed up in a warm little novice at Windsor (2m4f, good to soft); looks a stayer in the making and his form reads well; firmly in calculations now up in trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

10

12th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 213y

Class 1

15:20 Cheltenham

Ma Shantou

11st 10lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Emma Lavelle

Two handicap wins here this season (3m, good) and he took the rise in grade in his stride to win the Grade 2 Cleeve Hurdle over C&D (soft) in January; the 7l runner-up Impose Toi was giving him 6lb and perhaps wasn't at his best, but this highly progressive 7yo was impressive nevertheless; his profile is not dissimilar to that of Paisley Park, who won the Cleeve for this yard in 2019 before landing this race; very much one to be interested in.

6/1

1st

6

24th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 7f 213y

Class 1

15:35 Cheltenham

Ma Shantou

11st 2lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Emma Lavelle

Won big-field handicap here (3m, good) in October and bounced back from lesser run at Haydock to win handicap over this C&D (good) on New Year's Day; won a bumper on soft ground; further improvement needed now up in grade but trainer enjoyed lots of success in this race with Paisley Park and this progressive 7yo is an each-way possible at a track he obviously relishes.

5/1

Form: 11 C

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
Irish maiden point winner (3m, yielding) who is 2-2 under rules following convincing victories here (2m5f, good to soft) and at Southwell (3m, soft); takes on vastly tougher opposition today but the ceiling of his ability is yet to be identified and this likeable type could play a major role.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

15th Apr 2026

Good

3m 0f 58y

Class 2

16:25 Haydock

Moon Rocket

11st 4lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls

Chasing this season and it started well enough, but heavy defeats on his last two starts (Grade 2/Cheltenham handicap) have prompted this return to hurdles; also has smart form in this discipline so it could be an inspired move; second run after wind surgery and in a tongue-tie.

13/2

9

12th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 127y

Class 1

14:00 Cheltenham

Moon Rocket

11st 0lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls

Campaigned mainly over 3m; form dipped in Grade 2 most recently; had wind surgery since and now goes in tongue-tie; comfortably beat his three rivals at Doncaster (chase debut; good to soft) in sole handicap attempt and although this is a stiffer assignment he's interesting from a pedigree angle, being related to Tully East who won this corresponding race in 2017.

50/1

6th

6

18th Jan 2026

Soft

3m 0f 60y

Class 1

13:20 Windsor

Moon Rocket

11st 4lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls

Runner-up twice at Grade 2 level over hurdles; sound performances at Doncaster (3m, good to soft) switched to chasing this term, comfortably winning a handicap then beaten only half a length by sole rival in follow-up attempt; remains of interest, with further progress still plausible.

3/1

Form: 12153

Last run: 42 days

W: 11st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 126

Form & Verdict
Won two novice hurdles last July/September (good/good to soft) and creditable third in Grade 2 novice at Cheltenham (3m, good to soft) last month; can give another good account but has 3l to find with runner-up Western Knight on that latest form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

19

14th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 213y

Class 1

15:20 Cheltenham

Yellow Car

11st 7lb

J: Nick Slatter

T: David Killahena & Graeme McPherson

Found 2m3f too sharp a test three runs back but progressive otherwise this season at up to 3m and he had Ma Shantou and Jig's Forge behind when digging deepest in a Grade 2 at Doncaster last time (3m, good to soft); this demands a whole lot more and he has plenty to find with Jet Blue on their clash here in December.

33/1

1st

7

25th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 84y

Class 1

14:05 Doncaster

Yellow Car

11st 0lb

J: Nick Slatter

T: David Killahena & Graeme McPherson

towards rear but in touch with leaders

14/1

Form: 65212

Last run: 24 days

W: 10st 7lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Won easily when upped to 2m5f in mares' novice hurdle at Kelso (soft) in December on her fourth rules start, and another good run when 4l second in mares' handicap at Southwell (2m4f, soft) on New Year's Day; there's stamina in her pedigree but others here may have greater potential.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

5

13th Jun 2026

Good

2m 4f 28y

Class 3

15:40 Hexham

Sunset Hill

11st 3lb

J: Nathan Moscrop

T: Susan Corbett

Couldn't hold on having been committed some way out on each recent C&D start, though split Perseus Way and Johnson's Blue in the first (soft) and recorded her best ever good-ground form in the latest; thereabouts.

6/1

3rd

1

19th May 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 28y

Class 4

20:20 Hexham

Sunset Hill

12st 0lb

J: Nathan Moscrop

T: Susan Corbett

Failed to build on an encouraging return over fences in November, but latest effort over hurdles following a break was a good step forward when a close second over C&D ten days ago; nudged up 3lb for that and yet to win in handicap company, which suggests she possibly remains on a tough enough mark.

7/1

Non-runners

Frisby, Gamesters Guy

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Ma Shantou

TOPSPEED:

Western Knight

SPOTLIGHT:

Jig's Forge

D Express:

Moon Rocket

The Guardian:

Gamesters Guy

Daily Record:

Moon Rocket

The Times:

Ma Shantou

Telegraph:

Ma Shantou

Daily Mirror:

Ma Shantou

POSTDATA:

Western Knight

WEST COUNTRY:

Western Knight

The Sun:

Western Knight

Daily Mail:

Jig's Forge

The Star:

Jig's Forge