Saturday 24th January 2026
Cheltenham Trials Day & Doncaster
We kick off our Saturday Preview Blog this week from Doncaster, with the 12.55, the Grade 2 River Don Novices’ Hurdle, to be ridden over three miles and half a furlong. This is extremely competitive; however, Ben Pauling’s KICOUR LA has looked potentially exciting in his short career to date, winning both starts under rules by a combined total of eighteen lengths, with both of those runs coming at Leicester in November and December respectively. They were decent races that he won as well, and it remains to be seen where his ceiling could be, as the step up in trip here could unlock further improvement. Dan Skelton’s Carlenrig could prove to be the main danger on the back of his Grade 2 success at Chepstow last time out, and you’d have to put Rocking Man in the picture with the Skelton charge, as Sam Thomas’ seven-year-old beat him by three lengths in November, in what was his first run following a lay off.
It’s over to Cheltenham now for the 1.15, and this is the Betfair Exchange Handicap Chase, a Premier Handicap, that’s ridden over a distance of two miles and four and a half furlongs. The one who looks rock-solid here is JAGWAR, who represents the team of Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero. He signed off on what was a very productive campaign last season with success in the Plate at the Festival, and he made his seasonal reappearance this time around in the December Gold Cup. He finished third that day, in what was an excellent run given that things didn’t go entirely smoothly throughout the race. He’s up just a pound for this particular assignment, and he’s the one to beat here, with usual rider Jonjo O’Neil once in the saddle. Olly Murphy’s Booster Bob comes into the contest in fantastic form, winning back-to-back competitive handicaps at Newbury, latterly by four and a half lengths in November, following a win in the Grade 3 Greatwood Gold Cup in March. Sean Bowen gets a fine tune out of him, and he’s feared here. Last year’s winner, Moon d’Orange, shouldn’t be ruled out for John McConnell; he won this race off just a pound higher mark last term, and it’s likely been the plan to come back here once again.
The third race of the afternoon for us will be the 1.30 at Doncaster, and this is Grade 2 action in the form of the Yorkshire Rose Mares’ Hurdle over three miles and half of a furlong. It could be Paul Nolan who holds the key to this year’s renewal, with FEET OF A DANCER, who’s set to be ridden by Sean O’Keeffe. She’s a very consistent mare and has a whole host of solid form to her name. She won a Listed contest at Punchestown by nine lengths on her seasonal reappearance, and followed up with a very solid second to the talented Wodhooh in Grade 3 company at Leopardstown. She’s the one to beat on her current form, and should post another bold bid. That’ll Do Moss could feature for Fergal O’Brien if she returns to the form of her Grade 1 second from Fairyhouse last April, and she ran with credit when third in a Listed event at Sandown last time out behind Nurse Susan. Last year’s winner Jetara, can’t be ruled out either for Jessica Harrington; she couldn’t land a blow in the Grade 1 Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown over Christmas, but these are calmer waters.
Next up is the 1.50 at Cheltenham, and this is the Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase over three miles and five and a half furlongs. These unique races are always a unique watch, and this particular affair could go the way of J’ARRIVE DE L’EST for Emmet Mullins and Donagh Meyler. He ran a cracking race on his first outing on these shores for Emmet Mullins, finishing second of fourteen in one of these events at this course last month. He has some solid form from France, and should come on significantly for that run here. He should have a big say off a three-pound higher mark, with Donagh Meyler back in the saddle. It was Gavin Cromwell’s Final Orders that got the better of the ex-French recruit last time out, and he’d have to have a big chance once again here under Keith Donoghue, who probably rides this course better than anybody else. The Cromwell yard have been back among the winners this week also. One at a big price who could outrun his odds is Some Scope for Richard Hobson and Gavin Sheehan, he’s only an eight-year-old, and won a Class 3 handicap chase last time out at Doncaster.
The feature race of the day from Doncaster is the 2.05, and this is the Great Yorkshire Chase, a Premier Handicap which is contested over a distance of three miles. As expected, this is as competitive as they come, and a case could be made for most of them. It could be worth taking a chance on current 16/1 chance KING’S THRESHOLD, though, for the team of Emma Lavelle and Tom Bellamy. He won a Class 2 handicap at Newbury over Christmas in commanding style by over three lengths, staying on strongly over three miles and two furlongs. These are deeper waters for him, but there could be more to come at a big price. The obvious dangers at the top of the betting are Grand Geste for Joel Parkinson & Sue Smith, who won the Tommy Whittle at Haydock last time out, and Deep Cave for Christian Williams, who won the Howden Silver Cup at Ascot when last seen. Both should have big chances once again here.
It’s back over to Cheltenham for the 2.25, which is the Grade 2 Cotswold Chase over three miles and a furlong. It’s hard to see past the Dan Skelton-trained GREY DAWNING here, who’s the mount of brother Harry. He was a very comfortable winner of the Betfair Chase at Haydock last time out in November, hardly coming off the bridle to defeat course specialist Royale Pagaille. He could still have further improvement to come, and it will likely take a big performance to stop him here. Last year’s winner, L’Homme Presse, could emerge as the main danger if he gets an easy time out of up front for Venetia Williams and Charlie Deutsch.
We stay at Cheltenham for the remaining two races of the day, and next up it’s the 3.00, which is more Grade 2 action, this time over hurdles in the Unibet Hurdle. SIR GINO should take a lot of beating here for Nicky Henderson and Nico de Boinville. He won the Fighting Fifth at Newcastle in impressive style last term, and returned from a layoff to win the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton on Boxing Day by six lengths, with the current Champion Hurdle & Fighting Fifth winner Golden Ace in second. Another bold showing is extremely likely from the very talented six-year-old. Dan Skelton’s The New Lion is the clear main rival; he won the Turner’s Novice Hurdle at last year’s Cheltenham Festival and will be looking to make amends for his fall in the Fighting Fifth last time out.
Signing us off for the day will be the 3.35 at Cheltenham, and this follows the Grade 2 theme, in the form of the Cleeve Hurdle over three miles. This could be another race in which Nicky Henderson and Nico de Boinville hold the key, as IMPOSE TOI has progressed markedly so far this season. Winning the Grade 2 Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury on his penultimate start, before going on to take Grade 1 honours in the Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot last time out in December. He doesn’t look as though he’s finished his improvement just yet, and if that’s the case, he could prove tough to beat. Olly Murphy’s Strong Leader has followed the Henderson charge home in both of those last two outings, and it could well be the case again here. He’s not always found Cheltenham to his liking, however, barring the favourite, this isn’t a strong Grade 2 event.
NAP: IMPOSE TOI – 3.35 Cheltenham
NB: J’ARRIVE DE L’EST – 1.50 Cheltenham
