12:55 Doncaster 24 Jan 2026
Virgin Bet Daily Extra Places River Don Novices' Hurdle
Grade 2 | GBB Race | Class 1 | 5YO plus
Winner £45,560 - 12 ran
held up in rear, made smooth headway after 3 out, going best 2 out, shaken up to lead and went clear with another before last, went clear towards finish
wore hood to post, in touch, made good headway after 3 out, shaken up going okay 2 out, soon led, headed but went clear with winner approaching last, switched right flat, no match for winner
tracked leaders on inner, pushed along after 3 out, ridden 2 out, went modest third last, made no impression
jumped right at times, prominent, ridden to lead before 2 out, headed and weakened before last
held up in mid-division, ridden along after 3 out, switched left before 2 out, no chance approaching last, faded
held up in rear of midfield, not fluent 7th, made headway and in behind leaders 3 out, still in contention when blundered and fell 2 out
led, ridden and headed after 3 out, weakening when not fluent 2 out, soon beaten, pulled up before last
front rank, lost position when mistake 3 out, struggling in rear when pulled up before 2 out
tracked leaders, lost position when blundered 7th, in rear before 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
held up in rear, hit 7th, ridden along after 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
towards rear, not fluent 4th, lost touch after 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
midfield, handy after 4th, not fluent 3 out, pressed leaders before 2 out, soon ridden and made no impression, beaten when pulled up before last
Expert Analysis
The ground looked rough and horrible and probably was as only five of the 12 starters managed to complete the race. These conditions will not be repeated often so I will treat the form with a fair degree of caution for now. I also think it could be prudent to forgive any apparently disappointing performance at this meeting.
THEDEVILUNO Patience was the name of the game here and Sean O’Keefe had it in abundance. I have lost count of the number of times a jockey has kicked for home too soon up the long Doncaster straight only to be reeled in by those prepared to wait until after the second last hurdle. Sean O’Keeffe had his mount in last position for much of the race and only began to make some quiet progress as the runners entered the home straight. He was still able to tuck in behind after the second last hurdle before seeing daylight on the approach to the last. The runner up took the inside route and the race opened up a lot sooner for him resulting in him seeing daylight before two out which may have made a difference. Connections now have an interesting choice between the Albert Bartlett or a longer wait until Aintree.
COUNTRY CODE James Bowen took the inside route and was perhaps a shade unlucky that his gaps opened a lot earlier than those for the eventual winner. Consequently, he saw daylight from the second last hurdle which may have made a significant difference to the outcome. Either way, there was an element of last man standing about this result.
THE LAST CLOUD After being heavily supported down to the 18-5 favourite he ran a really solid race despite racing in a prominent position throughout. In fact, he was easily the best of those to race to the fore and can be marked up as a result.
CARLENRIG His form with Rocking Man from Chepstow was boosted to some extent here even though neither horse managed to complete the course. He was in contention when crumpling on landing after the second last hurdle. He was under pressure at the time and I doubt very much whether he would have troubled the first two horses home if standing up.
ROCKING MAN He beat Carlenrig at Chepstow last time out and they were both in contention approaching the second last hurdle. From thereon in Carlenrig came down at that hurdle whereas Rocking Man’s journey only continued for a little longer as he soon came under pressure before being pulled up on the approach to the final hurdle. This was still a solid effort on horrible ground, and he can be marked up as being a top six performer in this Grade 2 contest.
Video Highlights
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Replay: 12:55 Doncaster 24th Jan 2026 -
Post-Race Reaction: 24th Jan 2026
Future Form
| Type | Stats | Type | Stats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | 4 runs, 0 wins (0 horses), 1 placed, 3 unplaced | Next time out | 4 runs, 0 wins, 1 placed, 3 unplaced |
| Class analysis | 0 runs up in class, 0 wins, 0 placed, 0 unplaced | Ratings check | Highest winning OR: 0; Highest placed OR: 124 |
Betting returns
| Type | Winnings |
|---|---|
| CSF | £42.44 (10, 3) |
| Tricast | £145.91 (10, 3, 11) |
| Win | £8.50 (10) |
| Place | £2.40 (10), £2.10 (3), £1.50 (11) |
| Swinger | £7.70 (3, 10), £5.20 (3, 11), £6.90 (10, 11) |
| Exacta | £57.60 (10, 3) |
| Trifecta | £294.50 (10, 3, 11) |
Previous winners
| Year | Going | Ran | Winner | Draw | Age | Weight | OR | Form | Last run | Trainer (Distance) | Jockey | SP | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Good to Soft | 6 | Yellow Car | 7 | 11 0 | - | U12153 | 42 days | D Killahena & G McPherson (130 miles) | Nick Slatter | 10/ 1 | 5:58.90 | |
| 2024 | Good | 10 | Kerryhill | 6 | 11 0 | - | 21-14 | 42 days | Ruth Jefferson (64 miles) | Brian Hughes | 7/ 1 | 5:54.00 | |
| 2023 | Good | 10 | Maximilian | 7 | 11 0 | - | 111-113 | 57 days | D McCain Jnr (85 miles) | Brian Hughes | 13/ 2 | 5:44.97 | |
| 2022 | Good | 7 | Mahler Mission | 6 | 10 12 | - | 2-321 | 15 days | J C McConnell | James Bowen | 11/ 2 | 6:02.80 | |
| 2021 | Soft | 12 | The Cob | 7 | 10 12 | - | 723-113 | 32 days | B Pauling (127 miles) | Daryl Jacob | 25/ 1 | 6:20.30 | |
| 2020 | Good to Soft | 5 | Ramses De Teillee | 8 | 11 1 | - | 122P-14 | 70 days | D Pipe (238 miles) | Tom Scudamore | 6/ 1 | 6:02.90 | |
| 2019 | Good | 4 | Nadaitak | 5 | 10 12 | - | 726-412 | 43 days | B Pauling (127 miles) | Nico De Boinville | 12/ 1 | 5:54.00 | |
| 2018 | Soft | 8 | Enniscoffey Oscar | 6 | 10 12 | - | 12-4731 | 57 days | Miss E C Lavelle (184 miles) | Leighton Aspell | 9/ 2 | 6:08.27 | |
| 2017 | Good | 9 | Constantine Bay | 6 | 11 5 | - | 21-11 | 20 days | N J Henderson (167 miles) | Jeremiah McGrath | 4/ 1 | 5:56.24 | |
| 2016 | Good | 6 | Barters Hill | 6 | 11 7 | - | 1111-11 | 32 days | B Pauling (127 miles) | David Bass | 4/ 7 | 5:55.02 | |
| 2015 | Good to Soft | 6 | Caracci Apache | 5 | 11 7 | - | P411 | 20 days | N J Henderson (167 miles) | Nico De Boinville | 9/ 2 | 6:05.40 | |
| 2014 | Soft | 7 | Urban Hymn | 6 | 11 10 | - | FU1-121 | 26 days | J M Jefferson (64 miles) | Brian Hughes | 9/ 4 | 6:22.30 | |
| 2012 | Good to Soft | 6 | Rocky Creek | 6 | 11 6 | - | 1-2 | 88 days | P F Nicholls (209 miles) | Daryl Jacob | 5/ 2 | 5:47.90 | |
| 2009 | Soft | 10 | Cape Tribulation | 5 | 11 10 | - | 13-7151 | 70 days | J M Jefferson (64 miles) | P Kinsella | 13/ 2 | 6:18.00 | |
| 2008 | Good | 9 | Battlecry | 7 | 11 10 | - | 31P522 | 16 days | N & W Twiston-Davies (141 miles) | David England | 8/ 1 | 5:57.20 |