Doncaster, Lingfield and Southwell open their gates for Thursday’s action – with all races live on Sky Sports Racing.
2.25 Doncaster – Storming George and I’m A Lumberjack feature
Storming George and I’m A Lumberjack feature among a field of six assembled for the Virgin Bet Daily Price Boosts Handicap Hurdle at Doncaster.
Storming George ran out an impressive winner at this track on his second hurdles start in November before heading up in class to contest the Grade One Formby Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree. Sent off at just 17/2, he ran below expectations and will be of more interest on this handicap debut under Jack Quinlan.
Alan King fields I’m A Lumberjack, who brings in some quality form in handicap company including when second off 3lb lower at Newbury in December. This slightly shorter trip could suit.
Huffin An A Puffin took a Newbury novices’ hurdle in March 2024 and rates an intriguing challenger on this return from 685 days off course. Of the others, Smokerinthedark chased home Fasol the last day at Musselburgh and returns here off the same mark of 119. Do not be surprised if he goes close again.
7.00 Southwell – Aisling Oscar bids for sensational eight-timer
The prolific Aisling Oscar headlines a field of 11 as he seeks another success in the Win £250,000 With Betmgm’s Golden Goals Handicap at Southwell.
Adrian Keatley’s five-year-old made it a staggering seven consecutive wins at Newcastle when defying another 5lb rise to win with a bit in hand and all eyes will be on this progressive type as he hopes to continue the winning thread at this new venue.
Bottom-weight Marry The Night has showed a liking for the all-weather and doubled his tally on this surface when holding off Amarachi over this course and one-mile distance on his last start. He is sure to give a bold bid off a 3lb higher mark, with Sean Kirrane retaining the ride.
Soames Forsyte sprang a surprise when landing a course-and-distance event 19 days ago and cannot be ruled out providing a strong pace to aim at. Bojan Bandit is often there or thereabouts and could go well for the Patrick Morris operation.
2.45 Lingfield – Impressive point winner Largy Go debuts
The expensive purchase Largy Go debuts in the attheraces.com/Marketmovers Maiden Hurdle at Lingfield.
Largy Go rates an exciting player for the Jonjo and AJ O’Neill team. A taking winner of a Loughbrickland maiden point-to-point in March, the son of Poet’s Word changed hands for £305,000 at Goffs’ Aintree Sale the following month and will be expected to make a winning debut under Jonjo O’Neill Jr.
The Richard Rowe-trained West Along was an eyecatcher when running on to claim third in a Fontwell bumper on Boxing Day and he should be sharper as he tackles hurdles for the first time.
Love You Black was sent off favourite on his first assignment over jumps at Warwick in November and given that market strength he must be watched in the betting again here as he returns from a short break. Felix Maximus is of interest on debut, being related to Zurekin – who amassed £219,599 worth of prize money during his career.
Best of the rest
Some nice types are set to go for Doncaster’s Virgin Bet EBF Junior “National Hunt” Hurdle at 1.15pm, including Milou Du Chenet – who bids for a hat-trick for Warren Greatrex. Mustang Du Breuil flies the flag for JP McManus and will look to build on his debut win at Auteuil, having since been transferred to Nicky Henderson.
Later on, Frankel colt Shabab Al Ahli makes his racecourse debut for Charlie Appleby in the BetMGM Supports Safer Gambling Novice Stakes (5.30pm) at Southwell.
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: skynews.com
