14:05 Doncaster

The Grade 2 River Don Novices’ Hurdle has a solid look to it with lots of potential in the lineup, and I have this between Moon Rocket and JIG’S FORGE, with marginal preference for the latter.

Trainer Ben Pauling has farmed this race in the last decade, winning three of the last eight renewals, and has another exciting prospect on his hands with this well-built six-year-old.

This Irish point winner was resolute on his stable/hurdle debut at Ffos Las, where he made all of the running and stayed on strongly to see off Blue Las, who has emerged as a subsequent 26-length winner since.

Despite racing keenly, the selection jumped well throughout and was allowed to be eased down at the finish, having pulled clear of the hot favourite, and he’s sure to be even fitter this time.

His handler has saved him for this race since then, and the step up in trip should unlock a lot more improvement. He is fancied to grind his way to victory under a positive Ben Jones ride and follow in the footsteps of the stable's previous winners.

A win in this race would surely see him line up at the Cheltenham Festival in either the Turners’ Novices’ Hurdle or the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle (his two only entries after this weekend).

Jig’s Forge, 1pt WIN, 6/1

14:40 Doncaster

Kateira is likely to start favourite, having shaped encouragingly when fifth in the Long Walk Hurdle on her return, but I’ll side with Irish raider JETARA, who has the form to give her a massive fright and must have every chance of winning this if she stays the distance.

She hasn't been at her best the last two times, but I’m inclined to give her the benefit of the doubt and judge on last season’s form. She made the frame in three consecutive Grade 1s behind the likes of Dancing City and Ballyburn.

Those efforts ranged over trips between 2m4f-2m6f, and a repeat of either of them may be good enough to see her defeat Dan Skelton’s charge. James Bowen takes the reins, and with cheekpieces fitted, she gets my vote to make the trip to Britain worthwhile.

Jetara, 1pt WIN, 7/1

15:15 Doncaster

ERNE RIVER was behind a couple of these when he ran with credit to finish a staying on fifth in this race twelve months ago, but he’s a lot better off at the weights with the pair (Forward Plan and Charlie Uberallas), and off a 6lb lower mark, he could improve on last year’s finishing position.

The 10-year-old has three course wins under his belt and warmed up for this with a tidy fourth-place finish here behind Super Survivor, who has won again since. If he can build on that positive display, he’s surely overpriced. If he can put his best foot forward, I’m pretty sure he will be extremely competitive.

Erne River, 0.5 pts E/W, 16/1, 5 places generally

Her jumping hasn’t been the best the last two times, but SINE NOMINE’s victory in the Festival Challenge Cup at the Cheltenham Festival last season is still fresh in the memory, and that form would be enough to see her involved.

She was weakening when she fell last time out, but that run would have been needed as she didn’t get very far on her return. A winner of four of her five previous starts, her handler has appointed Brian Hughes to take the ride.

Sine Nomine, 0.5 pts E/W, 12/1, 5 places generally