Racing action would return to South Yorkshire following a short break as the National Hunt season would get underway at Doncaster for the winter season. The speed, prestige and drama of the flat season would be consigned to the history books for another year and the afternoon's meeting would see stamina and agility under the spotlight.

The feature race would be a long distance novices' chase and a middle-distance handicap for the more experienced sorts. Elsewhere, there would be intriguining novice hurdle contests, including one for the inexperienced three year olds. The meeting would be completed by qualifying races for the Go North Series which culminates in April next year. Twelve months ago, this meeting was lost to the weather and everyone involved would be hoping for fairer weather this time around.

Race One: The Ice Cream Direct Members 'Hands And Heels' Handicap Hurdle - Class Four - Three Miles - Runners: 9

The opening contest would be a restricted handicap hurdle for amateur and conditional riders, who were all keen to showcase their growing talents. To further their education, the riders would have to ride without whips to increase their strength in the saddle. Two years ago, the race went the way of Caius Marcius for the Nicky Richards stable, who defied the age of 11 to win under Jack Power. 

The field would be headed by the improving Kick Up A Storm, who arrived here in search of a hat trick of wins for Paul Nicholls. The gelding has proven to be a revelation since moving up in trip and was a wide margin winner last time out. Next up would be the Rebecca Curtis-trained Idefix de Ciergues, who reverted back to hurdles. The six year old hit the bar plenty of times over varying distances over hurdles last season, but recently made a winning transition to fences last time out. Another family angle in the lineup would be Redbridge Rambler, trained by Martin Keighley and ridden by son Freddie. The six year old found improvement at the start of this year, but has valid excuses for a couple of heavy defeats in recent weeks. Anthony Charlton's River Corner is another to have found improvement over this longer trip and was in good form when last seen. Having won twice at the start of the year, he was narrowly denied in a great finish at Exeter in April. On Springs was a useful chaser a couple of seasons ago and won over the larger obstacles here in March last year, but following two falls recently, Ben Pauling's nine year old ran much better over hurdles last time out. The mare Minniemum scored for the first time in her career back in May and Henry Daly's well bred seven year old would make her return to action for the first time since June. Another recent winner in the lineup would be Prince de Juilley for the Alistair Ralph yard. He would start the year in good nick before a mid season blip, but has found his feet again with a win last month. Sam England's Jeteye has been kept busy throughout the calendar year and was successful in June. He would arrive at Doncaster on the back of two seconds further up the road at Newcastle. The field would be rounded out by Nicky Richards's Rickety Gate, who needed to improve on ratings against some of his rivals if he was to record another win in this race for his trainer. The nine year old has won four times in the past, most recently at a lower level at Kelso on his penultimate start.

Winner: IDEFIX DE CIERGUES (#4) (Buck's Boum x Caline de Ferbet) - O. Palmer - R. Curtis

The opening contest would be reduced by two as Captain Potter and Kazontherazz were both early morning withdrawals. In their absence, the race still held a competitive look to it with plenty of rising talents in the saddle. There would be a brief pause ahead of the race as Archie Jones received a knock to the face from his own mount Minniemum, but after a checkup from medics, the pair were able to compete. 
The nine runners were sent on their way at the foot of Rose Hill and River Corner would hold a narrow lead down the descent approaching the first hurdle. Alongside him, Redbridge Rambler was also up close to the pace along with Idefix de Ciergues and the keen going Minniemum, who pulled her way to the front. The pace would be no more than average one as the field passed the stands for the first time. The group would jump well on the whole and remain tightly packed. Arriving at their point of departure, the leader River Corner suddenly veered to his left and around the wing of the hurdle, unseating rider Elizabeth Gale in the process in an unexpected moment of drama. It would leave Minniemum in front with Redbridge Rambler as the pack made their way around the final bend. At the top of the home straight, Prince de Juilley was the newest contender and jumped into a narrow lead. Idefix de Ciergues was another to make gradual headway through the field and joined Prince de Juilley up front. In a race that had changed complexion, Jeteye also made good progress from the back and the trio would have it between them approaching the final two hurdles. Idefix de Ciergues would nose in front under Oscar Palmer to take up a narrow advantage. Prince de Juilley wasn't going away and the pair fought out an exciting battle from the last hurdle to the line. Idefix de Ciergues had the advantage of the running rail and began to pull clear of Prince de Juilley with a small gap back to Jeteye in third. They would be followed by Rickety Gate in fourth, who made plenty of eyecatching late headway.

It would be a second consecutive win for the six year old Idefix de Ciergues, who has shown his adaptability recently. The French-bred son of Buck's Boum ran well in the initial part of his career and placed six times from ten starts. Rebecca Curtis's six year old would gain a first career success on his last start at Chepstow in a three mile chase where he finished strongly to get up in the closing stages. Reverting over hurdles here, stamina came to the fore and Idefix de Ciergues is developing into a likeable type. 

Race Two: The Kelly's Of Cornwall EBF Junior Hurdle - Class Four - 3-y-o's only - Two Miles - Runners: 5

The focus would switch from the next generation of riders to the next generation of horses as this junior novice hurdle would take place over the minimum trip of two miles. Limited to three year old horses who hadn't raced on the flat previously, these contests can often be an unpredictable spectacle, such is the inexperience on display. Despite this, it would also give a chance to see the progeny of new sires in the National Hunt sphere. In 2022, the race would be won by the Dan Skelton-trained Solomoon, who skipped clear to win on second start. 

The field would be see the Donald McCain-trained Aotano carry extra weight as the only previous winner in the line up. After winning on debut back in October for previous connections, he then moved to the McCain yard where he ran disappointingly next time out. The Alan King runner Adaay Forever was involved in a chaotic race at Wetherby on debut at the end of October, but ran better recently when keeping on well into third on his first "proper" race. The sole newcomer would represent the predominantly Flat based Tim Easterby yard. Smart Decision would make his racecourse debut in this wide open event and is related to plenty of stayers on the flat. Lucinda Russell's grey Snow Dragon caused a stir in the aforementioned Wetherby race where he unseated his rider at the first hurdle before continuing to wipe out half of the field at the second hurdle. He would need to be on his best behaviour here. The final runner in the field would be a second Donald McCain runner, Wallquatari. The grey made his debut at Stratford in a small field and despite falling at the last, he was well held at the time.

Winner: SMART DECISION (#3) (Postponed x Maven) - S. Quinlan - T. Easterby

Fingers would be crossed for a clean race and the wishes came true with a good finish to the race. The well backed favourite Adaay Forever would jump off into a narrow lead under Tom Bellamy and was kept on his toes by the grey Wallquatari. Further back in the field, the lighter grey Snow Dragon wasn't fluent at the first hurdle but most importantly got over in one piece without hampering any other rivals. Running away from the stands and out into the country, Adaay Foreve suddenly put on the anchors and dropped back through the order, leaving Wallquatari out in front. Adaay Forever continued to leave plenty to be desired in the jumping discipline, but was still close up as the field made their way around the track. Wallquatari bowled along in front, jumping comfortably and held a narrow lead approaching three out. Adaay Forever would come back into contention along with the smooth travelling Smart Decision on the wide outside. The leader attacked the second last hurdle along the inside rail, but the biggest challenger would be on the far side. Smart Decision showed a telling turn of foot to join Wallquatari at the final hurdle and jumped into the lead. He would then pull right away to win by two and a half lengths from the valiant Wallquatari in second, ahead of stablemate Aotano with the disappointing Adaay Forever back in fourth.

The sole newcomer of the field would prove to be the most streetwise in this race as Smart Decision proved to be well named for the Tim Easterby yard. The son of Juddmonte International winner Postponed is a home bred from the Easterby stable as his dam Maven won nine times for the Malton outfit. Smart Decision is also bred for the job as a half brother to the modest winning chaser Fast Deal. A combination of decent ground and a late challenge to bring the speedier side of his pedigree saw him to good effect. Races like these are hard to judge, but Smart Decision won in the style of a smart prospect. 

Race Three: The Eden Farm Champions Cup Maiden Hurdle - Class Four - Two Miles, Five Furlongs - Runners: 9

Next up would be the turn of the older novices as this maiden hurdle would begin the road to big festivals next spring for the potential winner. The two and a half mile contest would provide a good test of stamina and saw plenty of runners who were moving up in trip or reverting back in distance. In 2022, the Lucy Wadham-trained Hurricane Bay made every yard of the running under Bryony Frost to win and went on to place in a Grade One contest at Aintree later in the season. Another notable former winner of this race would be Nadaitak in 2018, who returned to Doncaster a few months later to win a Grade Two over hurdles.

The four year old Bold Jury would make his debut under rules for the Paul Collins yard having ran in three point-to-points so far. He would appear outpaced in those races and dropped back in distance. Another to try hurdles for the first time here would be Geordies Dream, trained by David Killahena and Graeme McPherson. After moving from point to points, he would finish just off the podium in a bumper at Southwell, his first taste of racing under rules. The six year old Kalabana lined up for the Sam Allwood stable, but looked to be a longer term prospect. He would show inexperience on debut before getting outpaced over hurdles last time out. A second runner for the Killahena and McPherson stable would be Keepkalmandkarryon, who is another who seemingly needs more time to develop. The sole representative for the Donald McCain yard would be Malicash, a five year old who has shown potential in previous starts; including when outrunning his odds in a Grade Two at Aintree last season. Kim Bailey would rely on an impressive point to point winner here, the four year old Moon Rocket. Improving from his debut sixth, he looked a good prospect when winning between the flags when last seen in May. Rebecca Curtis would be represented by Newton Tornado, who comes from a very talented family. He would win nicely first time out in a point to point before running respectfully on hurdles debut at Chepstow at the start of the month. The Neil King-trained Tank Top made a low key debut at this venue at the start of the year and was recently down the order on his latest bumper race. In between though, he would run with a bit of promise when fourth. Fergal O'Brien would saddle recent recruit Whatsyourproblem, who arrived from Ireland over the summer. He would show glimpses of talent over there before tiring into fourth on UK debut, beaten a long way. The final runner of the race would be yet another for the Paul Nicholls yard, the promising Wicked Thoughts. After an impressive point to point win, the five year old was useful in bumpers last year, but was turned over at short odds on his hurdling debut at Southwell.

Winner: MOON ROCKET (#10) - (Doyen x Sea Rocket) - T. Bellamy - K. Bailey

The field would be reduced to nine runners shortly before the start as Bold Jury deposited his rider on the turf when leaving the parade ring and making a bid for freedom. His absence failed to detract from this intriguing contest filled with plenty of nice future chasers.

Starting from the rarely used two and a half mile point, Newton Tornado would take up the early running in the pursuit of giving trainer Rebecca Curtis a second winner of the day. He would be joined up front by the favourite Wicked Thoughts and Whatsyourproblem as the field moved along at a steady pace. Slightly further back would be the likes of Malicash and Moon Rocket as individual jumping errors began to litter the race. At the halfway stage of the race at Rose Hill, the lead would be taken up by Wicked Thoughts as Whatsyourproblem was relegated by two spots. Newton Tornado would also be right there on the crown the bend as Moon Rocket travelling smoothly throughout. Entering the home straight, Wicked Thoughts took up the outright lead under Freddie Gingell and looked set to go on. Newton Tornado began to tired and was also passed by Moon Rocket, who had the leader on his radar. At the second last hurdle, with little to split the two leaders, Wicked Thought would make a blunder and crashed out of the race, thankfully escaping unscathed. It would leave Moon Rocket out in front with a wide margin to his nearest pursuer and the four year old jumped the last hurdle accurately before crossing the line twelve lengths to the good. A brief wait was in order for Newton Tornado to finish in second, with an identical gap back to the third placed Whatsyourproblem. Donald McCain's Malicash made a shuddering error at the third last which cost his chances and saw him finish only fourth.

The race may have been robbed from an exciting finish between Wicked Thoughts and Moon Rocket, the outcome produced a potentially exciting prospect for years to come. The Kim Bailey yard has been in red hot form already this season with successes for stable stars Trelawne and Chianti Classico, but the Cotswolds based stable can look forward to seeing this son of Doyen progress. A distant relative to the talented chaser Tully East, whose best moment came when winning the novice handicap chase at the Cheltenham Festival in 2017, the four year old looks to be a chaser in the making. Having made his debut in the point-to-point scene back in March, he finished only sixth that day, but the experience would prove valuable as Moon Rocket scored on his next start at Curraghmore, quickening up nicely. Following an expensive move to the Kim Bailey stable, this would be an impressive debut under rules as he jumped well in the main. He is sure to stay three miles in time and is a must for any notebook in years to come.

Race Four: The Lifetime Achievement Novices' Limited Handicap Chase - Class Three - Three Miles - Runners: 3

One of the more higher value races would see this handicap chase for novices over the stamina sapping three miles. This time of the year often sees the better chasing prospects step up to the larger obstacles following their hurdling exploits of previous seasons. In the inaugural contest in 2022, the grey Everyday Champagne landed a double on the day for the Nicky Richards stable with a good display of jumping.

Top weight would be carried by former Grade Two winner Rock My Way, who is now trained by Anthony Charlton. The six year old has yet to win since that day in January 2023, but has finished second and third in four starts over fences so far. Next up would come Billy Boi Blue for the David Killahena and Graeme McPherson stable. The seven year old has had plenty of time between races, but crossed the line strongly when winning at Wetherby in October. The only chasing debutante in the field would be Ioupy Collonges, trained by Paul Nicholls The lightly raced gelding has a largely consistent profile and won nicely at Perth in April when last seen in action. 

Winner: ROCK MY WAY (#1) (Getaway x Far Rock) - C. Pritchard - A. Charlton

The small field would be reduced even further as intended chase debutant Itslikethat would be a morning withdrawal. Despite this, the trio of runners all held potential and the contest would be one to look forward to. 

In a tactical race, the Paul Nicholls-trained Ioupy Collonges would set off into the lead at a steady pace. It would be a case of follow the leader as Rock My Way was happy to sit in second with Billy Boi Blue looking on from the rear on his first run over fences. There would be a few jumping errors at the opening few fences as the young horses warmed up to the task. Billy Boi Blue would make the most noticeable errors along the way, as Ioupy Collonges bowled along in front. Rock My Way wasn't foot perfect either and needed a few pushes by Callum Pritchard, but he remained in contention. At the challenging uphill fence where they started the race a circuit ago, Ioupy Collonges put in an impressive leap, making ground in the air and taking advantage of Rock My Way's slight blunder. Despite a few shakes of the reins from his rider, Rock My Way started to make progress and passed his main rival at the top of the home straight approaching the fourth last fence. He would jump into the lead as Ioupy Collonges kept on in vain. The front two had already pulled well clear of Billy Boi Blue, who would be learning on the job. The race wouldn't be sealed just yet as Rock My Way began to look vulnerable after the second last and it gave a second chance to Ioupy Collonges. A good jump at the last saw Rock My Way hold a comfortable margin to Ioupy Collonges and held off his market rival to score over fences for the first time. Ioupy Collonges showed potential in second with a spirited run while Billy Boi Blue bit off more than he could chew in this contest back in third.

It would be a belated first victory over fences for Rock My Way, who started the 2024-25 season as a second year chaser. His biggest moment came in January 2023 where he provided former trainer Syd Hosie with a memorable success in the Grade Two Classic Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham. Showing a regressive profile over hurdles, the six year old was switched to fences at the start of this year where he finished in the podium places on all three starts. Over the summer, he transferred to the Anthony Charlton stable and made his comeback in a similar race at Newbury. He would tire towards the finish that day and returned home third, but it set him straight for this race. Despite a few sketchy jumps, he had the race under control at the business end and this maiden success over the larger obstacles will hopefully see him progress into a nice staying chaser in years to come. It would be another win for the burgeoning young rider Callum Pritchard, who is quickly making a name for himself over fences this season.

Race Five: The Consort/DWF Christmas Handicap Chase - Class Three - Two Miles, Three Furlongs - Runners: 7

The action would remain over fences, but this time back to the intermediate trip of two and half miles. The most high profile winner of this contest would be Voix d'Eau, trained by Harry Fry in 2015. He would then go on to win a Grade Two event at Cheltenham. More recently, John Mackie's Barton Knoll recorded back to back wins in this contest in 2020 and 2021, while the latest running in 2022 saw the prolific Mackenberg win for the Donald McCain stable.

This competitive contest would see Mackenberg return to Doncaster to defend his crown. The nine year old has gone winless since this race two years ago and carried top weight for his first race since June this year. The Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained Guy has become a likeable sort over fences with four wins to date in the discipline, despite them coming over a shorter trip. He would weaken out of contention in his last two starts. Next up would be Kansas City Star for the Harry Derham stable who have started the season strongly. The seven year old won twice at the start of the year after moving from Ireland and has recently raced at a stronger level. Neil King's Onemorefortheroad was once a high class handicap hurdler a few years ago and has run to a decent standard over fences. The nine year old is a past winner at Doncaster and has been sighted over hurdles in recent starts. The Kim Bailey-trained Bobhopeornohope won the maiden hurdle on this card four years ago before developing into a good staying chaser. In more recent times though, his form has dropped off markedly and he would drop down in distance here. Ben Pauling's Mole Court enjoyed himself at the start of last season by winning five chases in six starts before struggling against an inflated rating. He has continued to show his talent however with a fourth in the Summer Cup Chase in June as one of his recent highlights. The field was completed by another former winner of this race, John Mackie's Barton Knoll. Now a twelve year old, he is seemingly beyond his peak, but a return to Doncaster could give him encouragement. 

Winner: KANSAS CITY STAR (#3) (Soldier of Fortune x The Goodwans Sister) - A. Stevens - H. Derham

The feature race would see a well run contest with a decent amount of runners lining up prominently at the start. The stater released the tapes and the action would get underway with Kansas City Star sent into the early lead under Alice Stevens. He would be stalked through the opening stages by Onefortheroadtom, Mole Court and Barton Knoll as Mackenberg, Guy and Bobhopeornohope were all held up for a later challenge.

There would be little change in the order as the field made their way around Town Moor and the experienced pack would jump well in the main. Rounding the home bend and entering the business end of the race, things began to heat up. Kansas City Star had enjoyed the run of the race so far, but he was joined up front Onefortheroadtom. The pair jumped the fourth last fence together with little between them. Further back, Mole Court blundered his way through the same fence and was soon pulled up by Callum Pritchard once his chance had gone. The two leaders continued to eyeball each other down the home straight as Onefortheroadtom became the new leader. Kansas City Star was far from done with and bravely battled back at the second last despite some jumping errors. Onefortheroadtom and Kansas City Star would jump the last together and it would be a dash to the line. In a grandstand finish, it would be Harry Derham's Kansas City Star who refused to be beaten and landed the prize. In a race which the leaders dominated, Mackenberg made only moderate headway from the back to take third, one place ahead of the veteran Bobhopeornohope.

This would be a finish worthy of the race's competitive nature and extra credit would go to winning rider Alice Stevens who galvanised her mount despite dropping her whip. The seven year old was based in Ireland at the start of his career with leading trainer Gordon Elliott where he was slightly frustrating with a series of placed efforts over hurdles. He would move to the rising stable of Harry Derham at the end of 2023 and made an instant impact on UK debut by winning over fences at the end of January. He would then produce a patchy record with a second win coming in a nice contest at Plumpton. This season, he was below form on seasonal reappearance and stepped up to three miles last time out at Cheltenham. The sudden rise in distance by a mile proved to be too taxing and the seven year old found a winning opportunity back at this more suitable distance. His profile suggests he isn't one to follow up with a win next time out, but this was a determined success which will see him continue in good spirits.

Race Six: The Magnum Ice Cream Handicap Chase - Class Four - Two Miles - Runners: 6

The third consecutive race over fences would take place over two miles and would form a qualifier for the One Man division of the Go North Racing series, which finishes in April next year. The class four contest would see a competitive field line up with little between the runners on ratings. Back in 2022, the race would be won by Coastguard Station for the Henry Oliver stable and the gelding has since gone on to win at class two level in 2024.

Carrying top weight in this contest would be Charlie Longsdon's Alien Storm, who was a useful hurdler before making a recent switch to fences. He would jump well on his chasing debut at Plumpton before running well in defeat last time at Kempton. No Risk With Lou has won on his seasonal debut for the last two seasons and continued the theme at Huntingdon at the start of the month. Alex Hales's seven year old ran below form on his previous run here last year. The seven year old Stormin Crossgales has won twice over fences so far, most recently in May and has recently joined the Charles and Adam Pogson stable with a well held fourth place on latest start. The famous JP McManus silks would be worn by Donald McCain's Grain d'Oudairies, a winner over fences but he has made a habit of finishing third in recent starts. The youngest runner in the field Noble Anthem is bred to be a talented flat horse, but since joining the Adrian Keatley stable, he has shown a liking for jumping. After winning at Sedgefield in October, his latest run came in a Cheltenham Grade Two where he was outclassed. The lineup would be completed by Ben Pauling's Davidoc, who has been running consistently well since a maiden hurdle win last April. The point to point winner was just outpaced on chasing debut last time out at Southwell. 

Winner: GRAIN D'OUDAIRIES (#5) (Kapgarde x Miss d'Estruval) - B. Hughes - D. McCain

The race would be reduced to just six runners by post following the withdrawals of Snowy Clouds and the original top weight Sir Tivo, but the race still looked a good one for the grade. 

Stormin Crossgales would set off into the early lead as the field galloped past the stands at a leisurely pace, next time would be a much quicker one. The keen going Alien Storm would race just behind the leader along with Grain D'Oudairies and the favourite Davidoc. Towards the back would be Noble Anthem and No Risk With Lou. As the group made their way from fence to fence around Town Moor, the pace would only be a steady one. There would be little change in the order until Grain d'Oudairies made steady headway to press Stormin Crossgales up front. It would be until the home straight where the race began to unfold. The green and gold silks of Grain d'Oudairies had taken up the outright lead under Brian Hughes and began to assert. Approaching the fourth last fence,  No Risk With Lou appeared to be travelling better than anyone else and loomed large under Bryan Carver. A shuddering mistake at that fence would see No Risk With Lou unseat his jockey and was out of the race. It would leave Grain d'Oudairies with a buffer up front, but at the third last fence, he too would make terrible mistake. Practically walking through the fence, the birch was scattered and Brian Hughes shot forward in the saddle. It would be an impressive recovery to regain forward momentum. In all of the drama, the door was opened for Noble Anthem who chased home the leader. A much better jump at the last fence by Grain d'Oudairies put the race to bed and the eight year old pulled clear of his nearest challenger to win in good style. Noble Anthem would run well in second despite his inexperience while Alien Storm plugged on to take third after minor interference from the No Risk With Lou incident. 

It would be a smart performance by the progressive chaser Grain d'Oudairies, who was winning for the fourth time. Since his debut in 2021, the son of Kapgarde has finished in the first three placings six times from a total of thirteen starts. The winning hurdler would go on to win in this discipline at Uttoxeter last year and then at Market Rasen in March this year before going to record a string of third placed finishes in recent times. Despite the dramatic mistake at the third last fence, Grain d'Oudairies had the race sewn up a long way from home. It wouldn't be a surprise to see the gelding end up at somewhere like Aintree's Grand National meeting next April for one of the handicap chases.

Race Seven: The Kellys Dairy Soft Ice Cream Handicap Hurdle - Class Four - Two Miles, Three Furlongs - Runners: 13

The finale of the first jumps race meeting of the season at Doncaster would be another fiercely competitive handicap, this time over hurdles. The two and a half mile contest would be part of the Brindisi Breeze division of the Go North Racing series which leads to the finals day in April. The most recent running of this race in 2022 was badly affected by low sunlight and saw six hurdles omitted, but Okavango Delta made the most of the glorified flat race to win for the Rose Dobbin stable with jockey Craig Nichol. 

The weights would be headed by Professor Klump for the Donald McCain yard. He would show a brief spell of improvement by winning early this year, but was disappointing when pulled up on his latest start. Royal Deeside would come next as Alan King's runner searched for his first career win. The four year old has finished placed in half of his races over hurdles to date though. Let's Go Joe would represent the Josh Guerriero and Oliver Greenall partnership and won his only race around this time last year. The five year old tried fences recently but has quickly switched back to these obstacles. The Sam Allwood stable would saddle Rehill Relic, who has shown slight improvement for moving into handicaps over this sort of trip. With a previous best of second place, he kept on at the same pace last time out when fifth at Southwell. Auba Me Yang has just one win to his name back in 2023, but Emma Lavelle's eight year old missed the whole of last season before making a low key return to racing last time out. The Phil Kirby-trained Be The Difference has been tried over a range of trips recently, but has run with credit this year by finishing midfield three times. Another five year old in the field would be Glengolly, who made his stable debut for Billy Aprahmian. He has failed to threaten the protagonists so far and would make his first start since April. Hiero Sport had run well in defeat prior to landing his first success last time out and did the job nicely for Alex Hales at Fakenham. Gill Boanas's Moroccan Moon has shown improvement on his latest two runs when keeping on steadily into the minor placings over this distance at the end of last season. The Neil King-trained Cuban Court has finished second on two occasions at Doncaster in the past and returned to the venue with the hope of going one place better. He would run well last time out at Uttoxeter when third after a break. The French-bred Jingle du Gouet is related to some useful winners and won at the second attempt in the point-to-point field. In three novice hurdles last season, he struggled to make an impact and would make his handicap debut for new trainer Sara Ender. Am Still Here, trained by Nicky Richards, would be another who has yet to show his best for a leading stable and would be a longer term project. The six year old Keeper is bred to be a decent sort on the flat and won at a low level in that discipline, but Clare Dyson's runner has been disappointing over hurdles having been pulled up on his last three starts.

Winner: LET'S GO JOE (#3) (Cannock Chase x Super Faida) - H. Brooke - J. Guerriero & O. Greenall

The field of fourteen would be reduced by one on the morning of the race as Malina Ocarina, who had refused to race three days previously, was off her feed in the morning. That would leave a field of thirteen to go to post and provided a tricky puzzle to solve.

The setting sun threatened to disrupt the race just as it did back in 2022, but luckily everyone involved deemed it safe enough to jump the hurdles on the home straight. There would be plenty of challengers for the early lead which included Cuban Court, the grey Professor Klump, the pale silks of Royal Deeside and the keen going Moroccan Moon. The pace would be sensible enough but there would be little change in the order as horses settled into their rhythm. Professor Klump and Am Still Here would both lack fluency throughout the race and their positions were compromised approaching the business end. Royal Deeside would bring the pack into the home straight and was rousted into the third last hurdle. The challengers would swarm around him and soon Alan King's runner was swallowed up. Let's Go Joe would slip up the inside rail with Henry Brooke and led on the run towards two out. He would be joined by Be The Difference as well as Jingle de Gouet, who continued to catch the eye. Space would become a premium for a few of the runners as the competition heated up. Be The Difference and Rehill Relic would be hemmed in at a vital stage towards the final hurdle. A good jump at the last saw Let's Go Joe take up a length advantage on the run-in, but Be The Difference wasn't laying down. In a driving finish, the pair gave it their all until Let's Go Joe won the argument to cross the line a narrow winner from Be The Difference. There would be small intervals back to Rehill Relic and Jingle de Gouet in third and fourth, both of whom's challenges came to nothing. 

It would be a hard earned second career win for Let's Go Joe, who is trained in the North-West by the dynamic duo of Josh Guerriero and Oliver Greenall. The six year old had previously shown ability when second in a point-to-point in early 2023 where he finished a length behind subsequent Grade Two winner Kerryhill. He would go on to win his first race under rules at Sedgefield where he looked useful in the process, but failed to progress for the rest of the season. Showing the benefit of a comeback run at Sedgefield this season, he improved to take second last time out at Ayr over the same trip as today, challenging at the last before weakening. Given a cool ride by the under-rated jockey Henry Brooke, the son of Cannock Chase had his day in the sun and returned to the winner's enclosure.