Racing made an unscheduled return to Doncaster's Town Moor racecourse with a run of the mill midweek meeting. Urgent track maintenance needed at Sedgefield saw the meeting relocated to South Yorkshire and it would be Doncaster's gain with a seven race card that featured an interesting novice hurdle and qualifiers for the Go North racing series. 

The harsh early morning frost almost left the racing high and dry, but thankfully after a second inspection the course was deemed suitable for racing. All jockeys wore black armbands in respect of their fallen Irish colleague Michael O'Sullivan, who tragically passed away at the weekend following a fall and his funeral would be on this day. A stark reminder of the daily risk and danger jockeys step out into for a living.

Race One: The Virgin Bet Novices' Hurdle - Class Four - Two Miles, Three Furlongs - Runners: 6

The opening contest of the afternoon would see an intriguing clash of previous winners and promising sorts do battle over this intermediate trip of two and a half miles. A small field would go to post, but it posed plenty of pointers for the future.

The card would be headed by the five year old Broderick for the Jennie Candlish stable, who have enjoyed one of the their best seasons so far. The gelding had improved with each start before getting off the mark in emphatic style at Newcastle last time, where he held a big advantage before hanging on. The first of the debutants in the field would be the flat recruit Banderas, now trained by Sam England. The five year old comes from a high quality family and won twice at a modest level, but showed plenty of stamina in the past. Nicky Henderson's yard are gearing up towards a big Cheltenham Festival, but in the mean time saddled Calimystic. The six year old has finished second on both starts to date and is related to a high class chaser. The second newcomer in the line up would be the Nick Kent-trained Kit The Christian. The gelding is bred for the National Hunt game, but this looked a fairly strong race to make his racecourse debut in. The small scale yard of Laura Horsfall would take on some big guns with Neptune House. The five year old is modestly bred and showed little in bumpers; now he would tackle hurdles for the first time. Completing the sextet would be the highly promising mare Queens Wish for the Dan Skelton team. The point-to-point winner made a very stylish winning debut over hurdles at Newcastle and had the potential to rank higher. 

Winner: CALIMYSTIC (#2) (Califet x Mystic Masie) - N. Henderson - J. Bowen 

As the flag raised to signal the start of the race, the horses lined up in a manner that gave plenty away in terms of tactics. The mare Queens Wish was strong in the betting market and lined up at the head of the pack. Just behind her came the main rival Calimystic and another small gap to the pair of Broderick and Banderas, while the order was completed by rank outsiders Kit The Christian and Neptune House bringing up the rear. 

The pace set by Harry Skelton onboard Queens Wish would be just a steady one and those behind her began to race keenly. Despite holding most experience, Broderick got in close to a few hurdles along the way but held his position in third for most of the race. With little change in the order, the pack made their way around the sweeping home bend and the race began to unfold. Approaching the third last, Queens Wish travelled powerfully but was joined by Calimystic who was getting niggled along. The pair jumped the flight in unison and landed as one. Nicky Henderson's representative began to gain the upper hand on the flat and took over in front approaching the second last. He began to stretch further clear as his rivals toiled and with an assured jump at the last, James Bowen was able to afford the luxury of easing down on Calimystic, crossing the line some seven lengths ahead of Broderick, who plugged on into a respectable second. A similar gap would follow to Queens Wish, who disappointed some, but had to do the donkey work for much of the race and was a possible non-stayer. Neptune House picked up some decent prize money for connections by winning the race for best of the rest in fourth.

As some of his biggest stars prepare for the Cheltenham Festival, Nicky Henderson has a potentially smart stayer in the making with the six year old Calimystic, who made it third time lucky. The son of Califet is bred to make a chaser in time and possesses plenty of size about him. Fences will come natural him as he is a half brother to Angels Breath, a Grade Two winning novice chaser who never got chance to live up to his potential. Calimystic would meet an above average sort on racecourse debut where he was caught in the closing stages and improved on that run last time out. Racing over course and distance, he kept on nicely to chase home a useful yardstick, George's Lad. That experience of the course and trip proved worthy with an impressive display of stamina. In December 2023, Nicky Henderson won a similar race at Doncaster with Lucky Place, one of this season's star staying hurdlers. The two profiles are very similar and wherever the future lies for Calimystic, it will be bright. 

Race Two: The Virgin Bet Saturday Money Back Handicap Chase - Class Four - Two Miles - Runners: 6
Next up would see a competitive looking handicap chase over the speedy test of two miles. The class four handicap would form a qualifier for the One Man division of the Go North series, which culminates in April. A field of six would go to post, but all involved would hold solid chances. 

The weights would be headed by Donald McCain's Hidalgo de L'Isle. The eight year old held his form well during the summer, including a wide margin win in August. However, he took an unlucky fall here over a longer trip last time and made his first start since December. The popular Ursa Major Racing would rely on their tough dual-purpose runner Glory And Honour. The nine year old has won on the flat and over hurdles in recent months, but made a rare start over the minimum trip here for Sam England. The oldest horse in the lineup would be Gallic Geordie for the Sam Drinkwater yard. The twelve year old was a progressive sort in his younger days, but still performs with credit despite his age. He unseated at the halfway point last time out at Wetherby. For the younger brigade, Dan Skelton would saddle God's Own Getaway. The seven year old showed consistent form earlier in the season, but following two below par runs, he has received wind surgery to seek improvement. The attractive grey Snowy Clouds was an improving chaser in 2023 for Nicky Richards, but missed the whole of 2024. The nine year old looked understandably rusty when pulling up on first start for a long time over course and distance in December. The tightly-packed field would be completed by Tommy Cullen, for the Matt Crawley stable. The former course winner finished second in consecutive renewals of a handicap chase here in December, but produced a poor run last time out at Huntingdon.

Winner: TOMMY CULLEN (#6) (Hillstar x Minnie Maguire) - M. Crawley - J. Quinlan

There would be potential for a strong pace as the runners lined up with guaranteed front runners Gallic Geordie, Snowy Clouds and Tommy Cullen in the lineup. That trio took the flag in their expected positions as the race got underway. Reaching the rising ground of Rose Hill, Tommy Cullen would take over the lead from Snowy Clouds as Gallic Geordie settled for third. Glory And Honour would be smothered in midfield while God's Own Getaway and Hidalgo de L'Isle brought up the rear, despite racing keenly. 
Tommy Cullen was seemingly enjoying himself in the lead as others began to show cracks in their jumping ability. The leader had built up a two length advantage turning for home and held on to it for dear life. With the race in his hands approaching the second last, Tommy Cullen took off a stride too soon and had to reach for the fence. In a pulse raising moment, Jack Quinlan did well to stay in the saddle as his mount scrambled to regain his balance. It gave a small piece of hope to his rivals, but it was short lived as Tommy Cullen galloped away once more. With a much better leap at the last, the race would got to Tommy Cullen by over four lengths. Glory And Honour chased him home in vain to take second, while Gallic Geordie remained in third. God's Own Getaway made his own mistake at the last which snapped the reins, but Harry Skelton safely navigated him into fourth across the line.

It would be just the second win of the career for the flashy chestnut Tommy Cullen, who has started to gain a liking for this venue. Previously trained by Charlie Longsdon, the seven year old joined up with new trainer on the block Matt Crawley and has also shown form worthy of carrying the flag of the stable. Finishing second in a course and distance handicap for the second year running, he left connections bewildered at Huntingdon with a poor run. A more positive ride on this galloping track suited Tommy Cullen down to the ground and he can now develop into a useful sort at this level, especially at Doncaster.

Race Three: The Virgin Bet Daily Price Boosts Handicap Hurdle - Class Five - Three Miles - Runners: 14

The focus would switch to the stayers for this handicap hurdle which would be a qualifier for the Brindisi Breeze division final of the Go North series. This class five contest would see a competitive looking line-up as well as the largest field of the afternoon with a healthy amount of sixteen runners taking the start.

Heading the weights would be the Nicky Richards-trained Coniston Clouds. The nine year old grey has won over hurdles and fences, but he has struggled for form in recent starts, pulling up on his last two appearances. Another to have frustrated slightly considering his connections would be Jukebox Fury, trained by Nicky Henderson. Middleham Park Racing's five year old is stoutly bred, but has yet to show his best over hurdles but still had plenty of time in his favour.  Glory Heights won on his first start since a short break in November and has continued to run well. The nine year old could only plug on at the same pace over three miles last time out. Nick Alexander would saddle the lightly raced Lucky Soldier, who has placed twice, but has yet to show race winning potential. The seven year old has managed midfield results in recent times. The ten year old Good Bye made his fiftieth career start here and the Sara Ender-trained veteran has performed with credit over the years. The quirky sort put in a better effort last time over this distance. The Neil Mulholland-trained Ca Plane Pour Moi would have leading claims based on some of his old Irish form, but the seven year old has yet to deliver in Britain so far. Remaining winless, he failed to justify strong market support at Uttoxeter last time out. Gill Boanas would saddle her twelve year old Off We Go in this contest and the gelding still retains the love for the game. The veteran placed over even longer trips last year, but has failed to shine in recent weeks. The seven year old Toucan Sam is bred to be very good on the flat, but finds himself at this level over hurdles. Now trained by Andrew Hamilton, the son of Frankel has finished placed six times so possesses some ability. The mare Lady Harriett lined up for the Peter and Michael Bowen stable and has shown good enough form at this distance to be a contender. The six year old was last victorious in November and ran well last time to finish fourth. Another mare in the field would be Richard Phillips-trained Lizzie Rey. The eight year old is lightly raced, but has been disappointing with no immediate promise shown so far. A second runner for the Borders-based stable of Nick Alexander would be the eleven year old So Ladylike. The mare has formed a good partnership with young rider Natasha Cookson and the pair won back in June. She would run well in defeat following a long break when fourth in January. The oldest horse of the afternoon would take his place in the line up. Mackie Dee has turned thirteen years old and has run well despite his ageing years for the Richard Armson stable. This would be a tougher ask however. The French-bred Iturgeon du Breuil represented the Barry Murtagh stable and would have claims on his two placings in early 2024, but the seven year old has pulled up on his last three starts. The line up would be completed by Skin Full, saddled by the shrewd David Pipe stable. The six year old has raced over much shorter distances, but connections have clearly spotted potential for better over this marathon trip. 

Winner: JUKEBOX FURY (#3) (Jukebox Jury x Dalamine) - N. Henderson - J. Bowen

The staying handicap hurdle contest would be reduced by two runners on the morning as last time out winner Farmer Jimmy and five year old Alltalknoaction were withdrawn due to the ground conditions. 

The competitive looking handicap would see a tightly bunched field approach the tapes at the start and they would be sent on their way for a lap and a half of Town Moor. The pale silks of Jukebox Fury held the smallest of leads in the opening stages, but was joined for the most part by So Ladylike. Her stablemate Lucky Soldier was also in the firing line as the pack were covered by five lengths first to last. Of those in behind, the well backed Skin Full was held up in the early stages along with Ca Plane Pour Moi. At the halfway stage, the race saw its first retirement as Lady Harriet ran lifelessly throughout, eventually pulling up before the field went back out into the country. 

Jumping accurately, Jukebox Fury brought the field around the downhill bend, but he had plenty of challengers at his heels. The old boy Mackie Dee had raced with enthusiasm throughout and took over the lead approaching the third last hurdle. Jukebox Fury suddenly looked vulnerable approaching the final two flights, but kept finding extra under pressure. Skin Full and Ca Plane Pour Moi both made eye-catching progress past beaten horses as the race quickly whittled down to four contenders. Mackie Dee's brave run came to an end as he weakened into fourth and Jukebox Fury regained his early lead. It would be a battle of the six year olds as Skin Full joined his unexposed rival at the final hurdle, but the outcome would go the way of Bowen and Henderson for their second win of the afternoon. Ca Plane Pour Moi did best of the rest to take third while the veteran Mackie Dee took home a hard earned fourth.

It would be the first win of Jukebox Fury's career and a belated way to live up to expectation. Purchased before his debut by leading syndicate owners Middleham Park Racing, the son of high class stayer Jukebox Jury is bred to stay all day. A half brother to Grade One winner Debece as well as the top class, Gold Cup third Don Poli, a step up in trip was always expected to suit. A previous best of fifth came in May last year over a mile and a half where he stayed on into fifth. After a poor run at the same distance last time, the gelding was moved up further in trip which proved to be the catalyst. Enjoying the positive tactics and jumping well, Jukebox Fury took advantage of a weaker contest to finally break his duck.

Race Four: The Livescore Bet Best Odds Daily Handicap Chase - Class Five - Three Miles, Two Furlongs - Runners: 10

The longest race of the afternoon would take place over a stamina sapping three and a quarter miles, but this Red Rum division qualifier saw a good field for this level. 

The nine year old Fairlawn Flyer would carry top weight for the Peter and Michael Bowen stable having won over a similar distance last season and finished fourth in the Borders National in December. The experienced eleven year old Super Citizen has high class form in his backlog, but remains a competent handicapper these days. Now trained by Lucinda Hughes, the gelding has finished in the placings in each of his last five starts. Fellow eleven year old Jessie Lightfoot had been in solid form this season for the Henry Oliver stable, placing twice. However, the mare was struggling when falling at Ludlow last time out. The lesser exposed runner in the field would be the six year old Touchwoodexpress for Nigel Twiston-Davies. The chestnut showed improvement for switching to staying chases and wasn't done with yet when falling last time out. Andrew Hamilton's C'est Quelqu'un isn't the force of old, but would have claims at his best. However the eight year old has failed to complete more often than not recently. The seven year old Dusautior has just the sole win to his name, but the Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero-trained chaser has run well since with a handful of placings. Twelve year old Unblinking has racked up the miles over the years and was once a smart hurdler. Now with the Robert Bevis yard, he has played bit part roles in similar contests recently. The David Killahena and Graeme McPherson-trained Getthepot showed a jolt of improvement to win unexpectedly two starts ago, but failed to back it up on latest start. The ten year old made his return to action for the first time since October following a wind operation. The family team of Sam and Jonathan England would combine in this race with Jamiesconn, a former point-to-point winner who took in three quick races over hurdles and now stepped massively in distance for his chasing and handicap debut. The field would be completed by Lady Pacifico for the Georgie Howell stable. The mare faced an uphill struggle running out of the weights and had just a few strands of form to stake her claim in this race. 

Winner: JAMESIECONN (#9) (Shirocco x Grandy Serenade) - S. England - J. England 

The lineup would be reduced by one as one half of the Guerriero & Greenall two pronged attack, Streamsforth Lad, was a morning non runner.

With a field of ten now going to post, the marathon test remained a tricky contest to work out. Kielan Woods was keen to get an early lead on his mount Getthepot and the pair set the early fractions through the race. As early as the second fence, Touchwoodexpress would go crashing out, but was thankfully unscathed and galloped loose behind the rest of the runners. Approaching the stands for the first time, Getthepot had built up a commanding lead of six lengths and attacked the fences with some smart jumps. The chasing pack would race much closer together as Super Citizen, Lady Pacifico and Dusautior all raced for second while favourite Jamesieconn travelled strongly in midfield. Further back in the order, Jessie Lightfoot unseated her rider Izzy Mathias, but galloped away unharmed; as was her rider. 

By the time the field reached their point of departure, the gap between leader and chasing pack had narrowed to a length. The race was also reduced to seven as Unblinking pulled up having found himself detached. Getthepot continued to run the show up front, but the race began to heat up approaching the final few fences. Jamesieconn moved forward into a threatening position. The pair would duel it out in the final stages, pulling well clear of the third placed horse. A better jump by Jamesieconn at the final fence saw him take over the lead from Getthepot and began to assert. He would be all out at the finish, but recorded a first win under rules for the England stable. The brave Getthepot received second for his troubles while C'est Quelqu'un made only minor progress to take third, ahead of Lady Pacifico who merely passed tiring rivals close home.

It would be a major spark of improvement for the winner Jamesieconn, who is bred to make an excellent chaser. The six year old won a point-to-point in early 2024 before joining the Sam England stable. There was reported plenty of hard workouts to get him fit for racing, but he finally made his debut under rules in a novice hurdle over two miles in December. Unsurprisingly, that was too sharp and it would be a similar fate in two more novice hurdle contests. Making a huge leap in terms of obstacles and distance, he lined up here for this stamina test and travelled strongly. The half brother to Midlands Grand National winner Time To Get Up made a few jumping errors, but that can be put down to inexperience. The future is very much promising for this staying chaser and it wouldn't be a surprise to see him rank higher.

Race Five: The Livescore Bet Handicap Hurdle - Class Four - Two Miles, Three Furlongs - Runners: 8

The penultimate race of the afternoon would see a return to the smaller obstacles with this decent looking class four handicap, once again over two and a half miles.

The six year old Diamond Koda carried top weight for the Nick Kent stable and has been very unlucky to remain a maiden. The gelding has finished in the placings in all bar one of his nine starts to date, but has paid the price for his consistency with top weight. A potential improver in the field would be the lightly raced five year old Benmore, trained by Laura Morgan. He has shown plenty of promise with three placings in novice company and made the switch to handicaps here. The Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero partnership would be represented by the eight year old Lune De La Mer. The gelding looked promising earlier in his career, but has gone through plenty of interruptions and suddenly has to prove himself. The Ewan Whillans-trained Scots Poet has won at a higher level in the past and has shown a liking for Musselburgh and Perth. The nine year old has a good strike rate and produced a good run two starts ago when third back at Musselburgh in January. Dan Skelton is methodical for bringing horses along slowly and that applied to the five year old Gwennie May Star. The gelding would gain a first career win at Newcastle recently, despite some wayward steering issues. Another five year old in the line up would be the David Dennis-trained Kally Des Bruyeres. He caused an almighty shock by winning two starts ago at 200-1, but his latest run suggested it could have been a fluke. Richard Hobson's six year old Maxiboy Dagrostis is nicely bred and placed twice in point-to-points, but has struggled for consistency over hurdles. His standout piece of form would be a third here behind a smart winner back in December. The field would be completed by the mare Imperial Jade, who has just the one win so far and has made a habit of finishing third. This season, she had hinted at going in again, but folded tamely on her most recent start. 

Winner: IMPERIAL JADE (#9) (Harzand x Maggi Rocks) - C. Longsdon - D. Bass

The sunshine that made a brief appearance during the previous race had swiftly disappeared, leaving a grey sky over the racecourse. The field was reduced by one as Reforme would be withdrawn ahead of the meeting.

As the field lined up for the start of the race, Imperial Jade was able to slip her rivals and gained a two length lead under David Bass. Her rivals didn't seem to mind however and gave the mare plenty of rope up front. Maxiboy Dagrostis would race in second alongside the keen going Lune De La Mere as Diamond Koda and Benmore came next. Gwennie May Star would be another to race keenly, next to Scots Poet.

The order remained largely the same throughout the race as Imperial Jade was able to canter happily in front. The six year old continued to jump well and travel strongly as they reached the home bend into the straight. The inside line of the running rail soon turned into the far side, but David Bass kept things on the straight and narrow, refusing to dictate his mount's direction. With another clean jump at the second last, she began to pull further clear of Diamond Koda, who had moved up to challenge. Lune De La Mere looked threatening at one stage, but his stamina would empty due to the keen going nature in the early stages. The race was practically settled approaching the last flight and Imperial Jade measured it well to run away with this decent contest. Diamond Koda's consistency saw him in good light again by finishing second again while Lune De La Mere ran his best race for a while in third. Benmore would suffer trouble in running, but kept on at the same pace to finish fourth. The usual last hurdle was omitted due to a fall for Maxiboy Dagrostis. Sadly, it would be a fatal fall for six year old, who had his best years ahead of him for the Richard Hobson stable.

For the winner though, it was a return to form in some sense due to a poor run last time out. The well bred mare has been fairly consistent throughout her career and gained a breakthrough first win two seasons ago. Last season saw a much more patchier look to her form with some disappointing efforts. This time however, Imperial Jade finished third on her first two starts but produced an uncharacteristic bad run last time out, finishing eleventh in December. Following a break, the mare looked revitalised and now has the potential to make a good broodmare in the future. Owned by members of the Fox-Pitt family, her future away from racing could even involve equestrian eventing.

Race Six: The LiveScore Bet Handicap Chase - Class Five - Two Miles, Four Furlongs - Runners: 5

The sixth and final race of the afternoon's action would see another small yet competitive handicap field, this time over fences.

Top weight was given to the once useful Kap Auteuil, who has now surpassed his tenth birthday. Now trained by Toby Lawes, the gelding ran to a smart level a few years ago, but more recently has slipped back down the weights. This would be a first start since pulling up in October. An in form training partnership would be represented as Sue Smith and Joel Parkinson saddled their experienced eleven year old Valence d'Aumont. He would snap a losing streak last time out in very game style at Catterick a few weeks ago. The Sara Ender-trained Coolmoyne was in decent form at the start of the season, winning during the summer months but is more accustomed to staying trips. The nine year old posted a low key effort last time around Christmas and reverted to this intermediate trip. Bravethewaves made a quick return to action having raced at Musselburgh over the weekend. Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero's eight year old won for the first time on his penultimate start but needed to brush up on his jumping ability. The sextet would be completed by the Micky Hammond-trained Great Ballinboris. The nine year old remains lightly raced and has placed in the recent past, but failed to stay the three mile trip last time out at Wetherby. He would be tried in first time headgear as well. 

Winner: BRAVETHEWAVES (#5) (Gentlewave x Miss Lucky Penny) - O. Greenall & J. Guerriero

As the number of runners was reduced to five, the runners for the finale reached the start point. Emergency torches would be on standby as the gloom began to descend on the area and the lack of daylight soon became a potential issue. 

Despite this, the race got underway to a level break with the first fence approaching quickly. Great Ballinboris would set the early gallop and it would be no more than a steady one as plenty of his rivals raced keenly. Kap Auteuil and Coolmoyne would sit just behind the leader with Valence d'Aumont racing in a close up fourth. The quickly returning Bravethewaves looked on from the tail of the pack as they made their way around Town Moor. 

Niggly jumping errors would plague the race as Valence d'Aumont, Bravethewaves and Kap Auteuil all made intermittent mistakes throughout the race. The order remained the same by the time they reached the point of departure as Great Ballinboris bowled along happily in front. Kap Auteuil had briefly held a narrow lead, but had been passed once again approaching the fourth last, making a juddering error. Bravethewaves had been brought along quietly by young rider Toby Wynne and made his move at the third last. Jumping into the lead, the lightly raced sort began to pull away from a tiring Great Ballinboris and Coolmoyne. A sensible jump at the last fence looked to seal the race for the eight year old, but he began to idle in front. It would give Coolmoyne a second chance and he closed with every stride, but the line came just in time for Bravethewaves as he won by a length. Early leader Great Ballinboris came home in isolation back in third, ahead of the tired Kap Auteuil. 

It would be a second win of his career for Bravethewaves, who would land this prize despite some sketchy jumping. The son of Gentlewave was a moderate hurdler in previous seasons for the Josh Guerriero and Oliver Greenall team, but has quickly improved over fences. Falling on chasing debut at Wetherby on Boxing Day, he would break his maiden tag at the nearby Catterick a month later. He would then line up at Musselburgh three days earlier, but again his progress was hampered by unconvincing jumps. Making the quick return to action, he was able to take advantage an arguably weak contest and make it two wins from four chasing starts.