Doncaster and Kelso

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With Cheltenham now being just over a week away the racing takes a dip in quality but there was still some nice performances in testing conditions this weekend.

We start at Doncaster, with the 2m handicap chase. The race revolved all around one horse, Gino Trail who was making his first start for Fergal O’Brien. He went from the front like he always does jumping for fun, made a mistake at the 8th but that didn’t stop him. The favourite Dolos who was held up by Harry Cobden made progress through the field before ultimately having nothing more to give on the ground. This left Gino Trail to go on and win well from Katpoli by 3 3/4 lengths.
Next at Doncaster was the Mares novice hurdle, the Nicholls trainer Cill Anna was sent off a short priced favourite and was looking for her 3rd win over hurdles. It wasn’t easy for her in those racing conditions of the heavy ground and the strong winds. She travelled well joining the leader Ziggy Rose at 2 out, the pair of them had a battle up the home straight, for a second if looked like the Noel Williams trained Ziggy Rose was going to win. But in the end Cill Anna managed to get her head in front and win by 1/2 a length. For me this was a good performance in these conditions.
Next and the main race of the Doncaster card, the Grimthorpe handicap chase, this is another race that was all about one horse. Captain Chaos for Dan and Harry Skelton, he got to the front at the 2nd fence and just made all jumping for fun. As the others were getting tired he just kept going and going, beating Worthy Farm who was looking for a hat trick of wins by 54 lengths. For me Captain Chaos has deserved this victory, having only found 1 too good on 2 of his last previous starts. 

There was a couple of nice performances at Kelso too, firstly the Premier Novices Hurdle, this went the way of the Ruth Jefferson Trained Clondaw Caitlin, she raced prominently, just off the leaders. She made nice headway with 3 to jump before taking up the lead with 2 to go. Eventually going on to win well by 5 lengths. 
The William Hill Premier Chase went the way of the favourite in Definitly Red, he raced just off of the leader before taking up the running 2 form home. Before keeping on really well during the long run in due to fences being omitted. He eventually beat Kauto Riko by 15 lengths. This was a nice prep for his bid at the National, with trainer Brian Ellison being bullish saying Tiger Roll won’t give him weight and win come April. 

Over in Ireland on the Sunday at Leopardstown Jon Snow finally got off the mark over hurdles, he made all under a positive ride from Paul Townend. Before being pressed close from home but he managed to stay on well for pressure to get his head in front. 
Finally the Leopardstown Racing Hall Hurdle, saw Mengli Khan he sent off the 11/8 favourite but he ultimately disappointed. The winner was the former Nicky Henderson trainer Charli Parcs, who had been off the track for over 400 days. It was a really nice return to form travelling and jumping well, before coming upsides Jetz going relatively easy. Barry Geraghty asked him for a bit of effort and he easily put the race to bed before being eased back down. 

Thanks for reading again. This is the last post before the festival, hope you all have a good one and make a profit and all horses and jockeys come home safe. See you after the mad 4 days. 



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