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 year around.

Race One: The Don't Fake A Flake 'Hands And Heels' Handicap Hurdle - Class Four - Three Miles - Runners:

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. 

Race Two: The Tips For Every Race At raceday-ready.com EBF Junior Hurdle - Class Four - 3-y-o's only - Two Miles - Runners: 

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. 

Race Three: The Get The Inside Track With raceday-ready.com Maiden Hurdle - Class Four - Two Miles, Five Furlongs - Runners:

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.

Race Four: The Get Raceday Ready Novices' Limited Handicap Chase - Class Three - Three Miles - Runners:

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.

Race Five: The Download The Raceday Ready App Handicap Chase - Class Three - Two Miles, Three Furlongs - Runners:

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.

Race Six: The Free Digital Racecard At raceday-ready.com Handicap Chase - Class Four - Two Miles - Runners:

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.