13:05 Doncaster

Leg 1 Selections: Golden Town, Glory Ridge 

The Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle looks a tricky race on paper but GOLDEN TOWN has dropped a long way in the weights and stayed on well to finish fourth back in October at Uttoxeter when last seen. His mark has been eased another four-pounds and he is 23 pounds below his last winning mark, so James Moffatt’s charge could go well at large odds in the opener. 

GLORY RIDGE proved no match for Parramount over track and trip last-time-out but still ran well to finish second and makes his handicap debut off a handy mark in this race. He takes a significant ease in grade plus his stable has been amongst the winners of late, so he is heavily respected in leg 1 with a lot more to come. 

13:40 Doncaster

Leg 2 Selections: Bluegrass, Ring Of Beara

This Juvenile Maiden Hurdle, which makes up leg 2, could prove informative. BLUEGRASS is an interesting recruit to this sphere. Rated as high as 102 on the Flat, which included a third in the Group 2 Dante Stakes, he could outclass these if he jumps with fluency at the first time of asking here. 

RING OF BEARA, another useful sort on the Flat, has run well in all three starts over hurdles. He was third at Wetherby last time and did well to hold off a late challenger for that spot considering he raced keenly throughout. If he can learn to settle better, he should be able to win a race of this nature. 

14:15 Doncaster

Leg 3 Selections: Future Benefits, First Man

FUTURE BENEFITS left his hurdles form behind when winning on his chase debut at Newcastle in November and backed that up with a good second at Market Rasen last time. With more to come, whilst remaining on a workable mark, he could resume winning ways her win leg 3. 

FIRST MAN is his biggest danger off a handy mark. His last win was over hurdles, which came off a 12 pounds higher mark, and ran a satisfying race over hurdles here last time. He is open to plenty of improvement over the larger obstacles and has an experienced jockey in Henry Brooke rider doing the steering as well. 

14:50 Doncaster

Leg 4 Selections: Imperial Storm, Blue Stello

IMPERIAL STORM has progressed well in this sphere since returning from an absence, making the frame three times, as well as winning at Wetherby two starts ago. He couldn’t land a blow last time but will be much more effective back on better ground here and is handed another chance in leg 4. 

BLUE STELLO was awarded the race on his rules debut but it was still an excellent start, as it featured Unknown Prayers and Complete Unknown, who are decent horses in their own right. He had shaped as if he retains most of his ability when fourth after a 15-month absence at Uttoxeter and, with the prospect of more to come, Nicky Henderson’s charge is feared most. 

15:25 Doncaster

Leg 5 Selections: Hullnback

Despite his prohibitive odds, this is an excellent chance for the Fergal O’Brien-trained HULLNBACK to make it two wins from three starts over hurdles in leg 5. He was a very good bumper horse, who was second in a Grade 2 at Aintree, and has taken well to hurdles. 

He comfortably beat some good horses at Haydock when last seen and that form has a lot of substance. He looks destined to tackle graded races at some point this season and this race should be his for the taking with more to offer. Gift Of Raaj might emerge as the main danger but the former should have his measure. 

16:00 Doncaster

Leg 6 Selections: Heroique De Maulde

In leg 6, a lot of the runners are well-handicapped at present, but a chance is taken on HEROIQUE DE MAULDE, who has made a positive start for this stable with two placed efforts to his name and then when third over track and trip on Boxing Day. 

He has undergone wind surgery since and is open to further improvement than most of his rivals. James Ewart’s charge should surpass his mark of 112, so this unexposed six-year-old receives a strong vote to make his presence felt in leg 6.