An already high class meeting in Yorkshire was given an extra boost of quality with the addition of Graded race action to the two day meeting. Alongside Cheltenham's Trials Day in the south of the country, it really felt like a brilliant day of horse racing and the best of the year so far. 
The eight race card is headlined by the historic Great Yorkshire Chase, a valuable handicap chase which proves Festival pointers for the upcoming months. The undercard would make attending worthwhile on their own with the a Grade Two hurdle for mares and Grade Two hurdle for future stayers. Recent abandonments at other racecourses meant there would be an additional race on the card, the Rossington Main Novice Hurdle which was salvaged from Haydock. A big crowd flocked to Town Moor to see some high class race and star quality names of the turf.

Due To Work Commitments, I was unable to cover the first two races of the meeting. Races Three to Eight only. 

Race Three: The Off The Fence At The Races Podcast Handicap Hurdle - Class Two - 2 Miles, 3 Furlongs - Runners: 13

A competitive handicap at the intermediate distance was next on the racecard and there would be a whole host of challengers from both sides of the Irish Sea.

Alan King's Call Of The Wild last won back in February 2022 at this course, but had been very lightly raced since then. Geronimo kept finding one too strong through the summer but made an overdue return to the winner's enclosure in a similar event in December. Alien Storm has been running better than his recent form figures show as he repeatedly caught the eye in recent races. Hunting Brook improved immediately when he moved to the Gordon Elliott yard and won twice earlier in the season before a respectable finish in a big field. Seven year old In From The Cold has seen a lot of racing since his debut over five furlongs on the flat in 2019 and was getting closer with each start recently. Lunar Power was a very classy juvenile two seasons ago for Noel Meade and hasn't spent long with current trainer Donald McCain. Luttrell Lad has been a talented sort in all codes and went close against the veteran Call Me Lord before Christmas. No Ordinary Joe is talented on his day and finished second in a hot handicap at the Cheltenham Festival last year, he was given the task of carrying top weight under Mark Walsh. Punctuation won a valuable handicap at Aintree in the mud before winning at York on the flat in October for Fergal O'Brien. Rich Spirit has gradually improved with each run and gained a deserved win last time out for Sue Smith. The intriguing runner would be Sans Bruit, making his UK debut for Paul Nicholls. The six year old won six times and ran in illustrious races in his native France. The Big Bite is better known as a handicap chaser and won last year's Greatwood Gold Cup at Newbury. The long absent Wolf Prince made his return to action here for Fergal O'Brien and ran well for the yard on his two starts following a move from Ireland. 

Winner: GERONIMO (#9) (Masked Marvel x Romane Place) - C. Maggs - D. McCain
There would be plenty of horses who wanted to gain a prominent early position, so there would jostling for position as the flagged dropped to signify the start of the race. The chaser The Big Bite grabbed a narrow head start but was soon overtaken in front by the keen going Sans Bruit. The ex-French hurdler would lead the field on their tour of Town Moor with Geronimo always in close pursuit along with The Big Bite, Rich Spirit and Luttrell Lad. The likes of Punctuation, No Ordinary Joe and Lunar Power were held up at the rear of the tightly packed group and mistakes began to creep in. Turning into the home straight, Sans Bruit's petrol gauge began to flash on empty and he started to tread water. The yellow silks of Geronimo moved up to take over in the lead and responded well to pressure from Charlie Maggs. The eight year old began to pull clear of his rivals and was assured at the final hurdle. Rich Spirit had tracked the leader's every move but would be held at bay by Geronimo. A further gap would appear to Luttrell Lad who stayed on into third with Alien Storm also plugging on into the minor placings. 
The Donald McCain-trained winner has formed a chemistry with young rider Charlie Maggs and his ten pound claim was a big positive to Geronimo's chances. The duo combined to win an identical race at Doncaster in December despite a large number of hurdles being omitted that day. Geronimo reverted to hurdles on his previous following a string of seconds over fences. This would take his record to a more than handy eleven career wins, with six over hurdles and five over hurdles. 

Race Four: The Rossington Main Novices' Hurdle - Grade Two - 2 Miles - Runners: 5
The freezing cold weather of the previous week caused havoc with the National Hunt racing seen which a whitewash of abandoned meetings. As well as Ascot, the valuable card at Haydock was cancelled due to frost and it was scheduled to host the Grade Two Rossington Main Novice Hurdle. Following some quick rearranging, the race was salvaged and ran at Doncaster to give an added bonus to the already stacked racecard. The two mile event is often seen as a key trial for the Supreme Novice Hurdle at Cheltenham with the best of British usually taking this race in. The last running of the race was won by the excellent Jonbon, now the leading two mile chaser in the country. The event would also make a one-off return to its original home as Doncaster hosted this race from the first running in 1948 until 1997. 

All eyes would be on the Nicky Henderson-trained Jeriko du Reponet, who was held in the same regard as Jonbon and Shiskhin. The five year old had barely broken sweat in his two novice events and was a leading contender for the Cheltenham Festival. He would be one of a few star attractions to appear at Doncaster and would be joined by four rivals who were promising in their own right. Ben Pauling's five year old Fiercely Proud has four wins from six career starts, but struggled at the highest level in bumpers at Cheltenham and Aintree last season. He remains unbeaten over hurdles this season from two starts. Gold Cup winning jockey turned trainer Sam Thomas will know a good horse when he sees one and sent Lump Sum into this contest. The six year old still looked inexperienced in winning his two novice hurdle races but displayed a large engine in the process. Nicky Richards opted for this Grade Two instead of handicap company for The Kalooki Kid who did well to overcome a bad mistake when winning last time. The field was rounded out by Lucinda Russell's highly regarded mare El Elefante, whose bubble had deflated slightly in recent starts.
Winner: JERIKO DU REPONET (#2) (Chouer du Nord x Ukaline du Reponet) - M. Walsh - N. Henderson
The five horses circled quietly at the start and it quickly became apparent about the race tactics. El Elefante lined up at the head of the pack with Fiercely Proud and Jeriko Du Reponet rubbing shoulders in behind. The Kalooki Kid's grey coat lined up in fourth with the impressive looking Lump Sum bringing up the rear. Throughout the race, the order remained the same and despite a few novicey mistakes by each of the five runners, the first three quarters of the race would go without event. Approaching the third last, the pace began to heat up. Jeriko Du Reponet loomed up on the bridle as El Elefante started to struggle. The favourite's running partner Fiercely Proud moved forward at the same time and there would be a closer race than previously anticipated. Punters felt the nerves as Jeriko Du Reponet and Fiercely Proud jumped the second last together with Jeriko Du Reponet slightly awkward over it. In behind, The Kalooki Kid looked to be a threat as well as Lump Sum who was last to challenge. Jumping the last, Jeriko Du Reponet hung to his left slightly while Lump Sum stayed on all the way up the run in having been outpaced at a crucial moment. Jeriko Du Reponet had to dig deep but found plenty and was strong at the line. He remained unbeaten, but was given a big scare.

The five year old has been given a big reputation due to his trainer and owner and remains on course for the Cheltenham Festival where he is well fancied for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle. While the style of the win wasn't exciting to the eye, he impressed with his attitude in battle. This was his first real race having strolled home on the bridle on his previous two wins. Still a young horse, his potential continues to be sky high. Questions will be asked more than answered here, but the horse remains unbeaten and promising. 

Race Five: The Yorkshire Rose Mares' Hurdle - Grade Two - 2 Miles - Runners: 6
An exciting event on a meeting of high quality, this mares' hurdles has seen plenty of high class horses strut their stuff on the Town Moor turf. The two mile contest is a valuable event for trainers as it fits nicely in the lead up to the Mares' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March. Last year, former Champion Hurdle winner Epatante eased past her rivals to return to the winners' enclosure in her final season. Back in 2014, Willie Mullins flew over the then improving Annie Power for this race and the rest as they say is history. After winning this race, she would go on to win the Champion Hurdle during a legendary career. Mullins won this race for a second time in 2017 with the equally high class Vroum Vroum Mag, who went on to win the Mares' Hurdle.

The all conquering Willie Mullins team would return to Doncaster once again with two exciting runner. Grade One novice winner Ashroe Diamond landed the Mares Novice at Fairyhouse last year before finishing a highly respectable third in the Hatton's Grace behind Teahupoo and Impaire Et Passe. Her last British start would be winning the Aintree Mares' Bumper at the Grand National festival in 2022. The Closutton maestro would treat the Yorkshire racegoers with another high class filly. Gala Marceau made her return to action as a two time Grade One winner. After winning the Spring Juvenile Hurdle at Leopardstown, she would finish second in the Triumph at Cheltenham behind Lossiemouth before make a winning return to France for a Grade One which she won in imperious fashion. The JP McManus colours were present with Nicky Henderson's Under Control, a three time winner as a novice but she needed to prove her wellbeing after a heavy defeat on her latest start. Riccirella would be hoping to pick up some lower end prize money for trainer Sam England as she faced an impossible task on form figures. Say Goodbye would make her debut for the Nigel Twiston-Davies and arrived on an unusual path having won in America for previous trainer Gordon Elliott. Nick Alexander's Stainsby Girl completed the lineup and has done her connections proud over the years.

Winner: ASHROE DIAMOND (#2) (Walk In The Park x Saine d'Esprit) - P. Mullins - W. Mullins
Much of the pre-race analysis would be about which Mullins horse would come out on top in an exciting clash of the Grade One winning mares. Gala Marceau made her return to the track for the first time in six months and had to carry a Grade One penalty. Ashroe Diamond had tasted defeat more times than her stablemate, but had some high class form in the book. From the outset, the Scottish raider Stainsby Girl took the field along at a sensible pace under young rider Kit Alexander. Ashroe Diamond would sit a handy second next to Gala Marceau with Under Control, Riccirella and Goodbye Girl all held up. The pressure began to increase on the leader as the main protagonists loomed large approaching the second last hurdle. Ashroe Diamond cruised up to lead at the hurdle under a motionless Patrick Mullins as Danny Mullins started to nudge along Gala Marceau. Last to challenge would be the Nicky Henderson mare Under Control who was running a big race into second. Ashroe Diamond needed to be pushed out to confirm her superiority over the field and came home a clear cut winner over Under Control and Gala Marceau.

It was yet another high class victory for the six year old who survived a near death experience when contracting illness at Aintree following her Grade One win. The daughter of Walk In The Park gained a deserved first Grade One at the end of last season at Fairyhouse in the Mares' Novice Hurdle. She will likely return to Cheltenham for the Mares' Hurdle, but faces the stern challenge of fellow Mullins inmate Lossiemouth who won spectacularly just an hour afterwards further down the country. Gala Marceau lost nothing in defeat and adds further embarrassment of riches in the mares division for the Willie Mullins stable.

Race Six: The Albert Bartlett River Don Novices' Hurdle - Grade Two - 3 Miles - Runners: 10
The quality continued and it would be the turn of the stayers with this three mile novice hurdle which has been the source of many high class chasers in recent years. Last year, the Owners Group colours were carried to victory with the very tough Maximillian responding to every urging from Brian Hughes. He would defeat Stay Away Fay who also went on to win the Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham and develop into an exciting chaser this season. Top level chaser Neptune Collonges, winner of the Grand National further down the line, is a former winner of this Grade Two as well as Yorkshire legends Barton and Cab On Target. 

2024's running saw plenty of promising types as they continued their path to the larger obstacles. Big Fish won on hurdling debut two starts ago and his dam gave plenty of hope he would appreciate the step up to three miles. Chosen Templar made a winning stable debut in a small race, but was very strong at the finish at this distance. Kim Bailey's Destroytheevidence had plenty of running this season but was largely consistent by finishing no lower than third in his last seven starts. Winning three times, he chased home Shanagh Bob in a similar race at Cheltenham last time out. The John McConnell stable landed this race in 2022 and saddled Dripsey Moon here. Better ground was hoped for as the six year old won two point-to-points over three miles. Esprit du Potier was aimed highly in his bumper days and belatedly got off the mark over hurdles for Lucinda Russell. He improved for the step up in trip last time.  I Love My Baie has developed into a smart novice for Stuart Crawford and following a third at this level at Haydock, he was impressive back in novice company. Kerryhill was progressing the right way for the Ruth Jefferson yard before a creditable fourth in Shanagh Bob's race at Cheltenham. The Sam Thomas stable ran their exciting Range, a seven year old who pulled a huge margin clear of the third when winning at Chepstow last time out. The Newest One is the oldest in the field but comes from a high class family and won by a big margin to score for the first time over hurdles back in December. The high class prospect Welcome To Cartries represented the Paul Nicholls yard and after a narrow defeat on his British debut, he won by a big margin last time out.
Winner: KERRYHILL (#7) (Soldier Of Fortune x Highland Flower) - B. Hughes - R. Jefferson
The lack of high class names in the field led to an open contest, but in the aftermath of the race, a star had been born. The Sam Thomas-trained Range was happy to bowl along at a sensible pace under Tom Cannon. The strongly fancied Welcom To Cartries kept the leader in sight alongside the keen going Esprit du Potier, The Newest One and Destroytheevidence. Returning to the scene of their departure to enter the final half mile of the race, there was little change in the order as Chosen Templar and Esprit du Potier began to feel the heat of the higher graded race. Rounding the home bend, the rangy Destroytheevidence moved forward to challenge the leaders but all the while, the orange colours of Kerryhill kept on improving his position. Ridden by Brian Hughes, Kerryhill had been kept quiet on the inside throughout the race but emerged at the third last hurdle. Travelling into contention in strong travelling fashion, Kerryhill took over in the lead at the second last before bounding further clear. He would navigate the final hurdle safely and come home a long way in front over Welcom To Cartries with The Newest One taking third.
Tactically, it would be an astute ride by former champion jockey Brian Hughes. In a similar ride to his win last year, Hughes opted for the brave man's route up the inside of the pack and saved energy for the finish. Kerryhill stamped his name into contention for races at Cheltenham and Aintree and becomes the latest star from the famous Jefferson stable. Winning a point-to-point at the second attempt, Kerryhill made a good start to rules racing at Kelso, where he displayed his big engine and held on to score that day. Sent straight into Graded company, Kerryhill wasn't disgraced behind the unbeaten Shanagh Bob at Cheltenham and he reversed the form with Destroytheevidence who had finished third that day. Ruth Jefferson's six year old is related to very useful handicap chasers Boychuk and Golden Chieftain and Kerryhill is now a hugely exciting prospect over fences.

Race Seven: The Great Yorkshire Premier Handicap Chase - Class One - 3 Miles - Runners: 18

An event with plenty of history and importance down the years, the Great Yorkshire Chase has reverted to its original title and remains one of Yorkshire's premier National Hunt races of the season. Known in recent years as the Sky Bet Chase, the sponsorship ended for this year and racing purists rejoiced at an old style race name returning. The three mile handicap chase sits perfectly on the road to Cheltenham and the Grand National with plenty of leading stayers eyeing up the prize on their way to the spring festivals. Last year saw plenty of drama as the smooth travelling GA Law fell at the last which allowed Cooper's Cross to win before going on to finish second in the Scottish National. Former winners of the handicap include Cheltenham Festival winner An Accordian, Ziga Boy for two consecutive renewals and Grand National placed Big Fella Thanks and The Rainbow Hunter as well as Scottish National winner Takingrisks. Further back, Bregawn would win here a year before landing the Cheltenham Gold Cup. 

The class of 2024 would see a classy lineup for the first prize of £57,000. Richmond Lake was progressing quickly before disappointing on his latest start. He carried the famous Trevor Hemmings colours but was carried twelve stone on his back. Dan Skelton's Sail Away has been quietly fancied for the Grand National in recent weeks and this would be a good test of his level. Prolific winner Whistleinthewind would be a poignant winner for the Laura Morgan team following the events of recent weeks.  He would be joined by the unpredictable Mister Coffey, who has still somehow yet to win over fences yet but was given the aid of cheekpieces for the first time. Kandoo Kid has improved with each start this season and finished second in Graded company recently. Famous Bridge would carry the first colours for Trevor Hemmings and has been rapidly progressive over the past two seasons, the sort many come to associate with the famous silks. Mel Rowley's Latitude has developed into a smart type with just one bad run recently. Annual Invictus has won plenty of handicap hurdles and finished on the premises in big events in the spring. The nine year old Erne River has a solid record at Doncaster with three wins from four starts including on his most recent start.  Surrey Quest arrives on the up following a valuable win at Newbury at the end of 2023, this could set up even loftier targets. Last year's winner Cooper's Cross returned to defend his crown but arrived on the back foot with some poor runs recently. Forward Plan did well to overcome the lack of fences last time out when beating Mister Coffey here last month. Hascoeur Clermont was a classy winner of an amateur's race at Cheltenham in November before finding the step up in grade against him. Strictlyadancer was a progressive stayer in 2022 before a layoff intervened. He ran his best race since returning on his latest start. The name Emmet Mullins strikes fear into rival trainers as the extremely shrewd handler sent over Sweet Will, a former course winner who has run well since joining the yard. Charlie Uberalles remains very lightly raced and was stuck in the mud in the Welsh National last time. Twoshotsoftequila is another talented Northern chaser with good form at the venue. The eleven year old Cap Du Nord has high class form to his name and has finished placed in each of the last three runnings. He completed the returning first three from last year's renewal. 

Winner: ANNUAL INVICTUS (#8) (Mahler x Shantou Rose) - F. Gordon - C. Gordon
A full field of eighteen highly charged runners who were keen to get on with things proved to be a nightmare for the starters. They would be unable to cool the melting pot atmosphere and the start would be aborted at the first attempt. A quick reorganisation took place and the much more well behaved field was sent on their way after the slight delay. The enigmatic Mister Coffey gained his customary front running berth. Racing slightly wider but on the leader's tail, Annual Invictus would take over in front at the fifth fence. He would settle into a positive position and jumped well in a clear lead. The grey Sail Away was easy to spot in the chasing pack along with Charlie Uberalles, Erne River and Whistleinthedark all leading the peloton. The testing gallop would soon get a few of the fancied runners in trouble and favourites Kandoo Kid and Famous Bridge already at the back of the pack. Cresting the crown of Rose Hill, the race began to heat up. The leader Annual Invictus continued on his merry way up the home straight but he had a large target on his back. Forward Plan had been smuggled away at the back of the main group under Ben Godfrey and caught the eye with the amount of ground he made up on the stands' side. Annual Invictus produced two final good leaps and appeared to have the race sewn up, but Forward Plan kept moving forward. As the leader ran up and down on the spot, Forward Plan got closer and closer with each stride. The line came just in the nick of time and it would be an emotional family success for trainer Chris Gordon and his jockey son Freddie Gordon with Annual Invictus.
The nine year old needed to be brave to hold on to victory but he had his rivals in trouble from an early stage thanks to a bold ride and fine display of jumping. Better known by his wins over hurdles at places like Newbury and Cheltenham, Annual Invictus also had form over further in the chasing game. A sixth place in the Bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown showed his stamina and he needed every last ounce of energy to hold on. A talented sort, an ambitious tilt at the Grand National or Scottish National could on the cards in the coming months. Whatever happens, the family photo album will feature this chapter very strongly. 

Race Eight: The Watch The Off The Fence Podcast Novices' Handicap Chase - Class Two - 3 miles - Runners: 7

A competitive finale would complete the day's action and would a former top level winner and plenty of very promising young chasers. The late withdrawal of former Grade One winner Monmiral weakened the race, but it still produced a challenge to decipher. 

Young Buster arrived into the race on the back of a perfect season so far, winning three times in a row for Fergal O'Brien. Stellar Magic was a classy sort for Phillip Hobbs and returned to the winners' enclosure since joining Billy Aprahamian after a bold front running ride last time out. Wiseguy remains lightly raced but is a former course winner for Nicky Henderson and carried the synonymous Might Bite silks. Donny Boy was once a bright prospect for Nick Alexander as a younger horse and has done well over fences recently. He was narrowly denied last time out and would be a topical winner for the venue. Snipe won as easily as he liked at Aintree last time out and rated a danger in the lineup for the Skelton team with Tristan Durrell onboard, a rider who enjoyed a big race double a fortnight ago. Alan King's Egbert won first time out over fences but never travelled fluently in a similar race here in December. He would race in a visor for the first time in an attempt to wake him up. Irish challenger Galon de Vauzelle bounced back to form last time with a win in first time blinkers and the headgear would be retained for this event.
Winner: EGBERT (#7) (Pether's Moon x Karla June) - T. Cannon - A. King

The smaller field got off to a much less dramatic start than the previous race and the well fancied Young Buster quickly assumed his role as front runner under Paddy Brennan. The pair would lead after the first few fences, but was kept busy by Stellar Magic who kept tabs on the leader. Wiseguy was another close to the pace as Egbert, Snipe and Galon de Vauzelle were happy to watch on from the back as they completed their first circuit. Meeting the challenging uphill fence, Egbert brushed through the obstacle to lose momentum as the lead was shared three ways. Rounding the home bend and with the finish in sight, Young Buster went for gold and moved into a clear advantage. Early challengers Wiseguy and Stellar Magic began to weaken out of contention but Egbert began to crawl back the deficit all the way up the straight. Approaching the final fence, Egbert took over the lead from Young Buster who had cried enough and it would be Egbert and Tom Cannon who went clear. From a long way back, Snipe finished strongly under Tristan Durrell and made a late bid for glory. However, his proximity to the winner would be exaggerated as Egbert was heavily eased down in front. Crossing the line four lengths to the good, it would be a return to winning ways for Egbert. The seven year old won his only hurdle race at the start of 2023 and remained lightly raced. Winning at Kempton on his chasing debut, he ran a lifeless race in an identical race at Doncaster in December. A visor was reached for by trainer Alan King and the headgear appeared to spark life into the gelding. Proving himself well handicapped at the moment, Egbert could be a potential long distance chaser