Analysis and best bets for Saturday’s meeting at Doncaster

The opening contest of the day gets underway at 11.50pm, with the finale at 3.15pm. We have previewed all of the action with stats and analysis.

The feature race of the day is the Grade Two Summit Juvenile Hurdle which carries a prize fund of £50,000 and is live on ITV4 at 2.40pm. A small but select field of five will go to post for the two-mile event which features Irish raider Glorious Zoff for Robbie Power and Gordon Elliott. The three-year-old failed to back up a smart win at Sligo when beaten into second at Sedgefield last time out, but it would be folly to underestimate his chances.

Monmiral made the perfect start to life over hurdles for Paul Nicholls with a facile victory at Exeter. This is another step up and he has to give weight to Glorious Zoff, but he looks an exciting prospect who is part-owned by Sir Alex Ferguson. Gold Desert has won two of his three starts over hurdles and has shown a good attitude for Oliver Greenall.

The five runners are completed by Cloud Thunder who has his first run over hurdles and Mistersister who has his first run for Charlie Mann having moved from France.

The £24,000 Grade Two December Novices’ Chase (2.05pm) has attracted four runners, including House Island who made a big impression at Ludlow on his second start over fences. A big, imposing sort, the six-year-old looks the type who will excel over the larger obstacles and makes plenty of appeal.

The other three runners include Hurricane Harvey who was a well-beaten second in the Future Stars’ Novices’ Chase, but had previously made a successful chasing debut, whilst Odalltheginjoints is capable of further improvement having scored at Exeter last time out. Milanford was 66/1 on his debut under Rules, but ran a race full of promise when second at Exeter and should not be overlooked.

The £18,500 Handicap Chase (3.15pm) is an excellent renewal which features Give Me A Copper who returns to the track after 357 days off, but has bags of talent for Paul Nicholls. Boldmere represents Caroline Bailey and is a course and distance winner who warrants a mention along with fellow course and distance winners Rocky’s Treasure and Looking Well.

Away from the Doncaster the International Hurdle at Cheltenham is the feature race of the day. Goshen was in the process of creating a big impression before falling in the Triumph Hurdle at this year’s Cheltenham Festival and bids to make amends as he targets a tilt at the Champion Hurdle in March. His rivals include Sceau Royal who chased home Champion Hurdle heroine Epatante in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle last time out and Silver Streak.

Doncaster Saturday selections

11.50pm – Dal Horrisgle

12.20pm Billingsley

12.55pm Wild Max

1.30pm Prussia With Love

2.05pm House Island

2.40pm Glorious Zoff

3.15pm Boldmere

Weekend NAP: 12:40: Cheltenham (Saturday): Chantry House

Weekend Next Best: 3:00: Cheltenham (Saturday): Goshen

Tips and analysis via Betting Expert