Doncaster, Lingfield and Southwell host Thursday racing, with all contests shown live on Sky Sports Racing.
2.25 Doncaster – Storming George and I’m A Lumberjack feature
Storming George and I’m A Lumberjack are among six declared for the Virgin Bet Daily Price Boosts Handicap Hurdle at Doncaster.
Storming George impressed when winning over hurdles at this course on his second start in November before stepping up to contest the Grade One Formby Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree. Sent off at 17/2 there, he disappointed and now makes his handicap debut under Jack Quinlan.
Alan King saddles I’m A Lumberjack, who arrives with solid handicap form, including a close second at Newbury in December off 3lb lower. The slightly shorter trip here could suit him.
Huffin An A Puffin, a Newbury novices’ hurdle winner in March 2024, returns after a 685-day absence and is an interesting contender on this comeback. Smokerinthedark, who chased home Fasol at Musselburgh last time, returns off the same mark of 119 and could be competitive again.
7.00 Southwell – Aisling Oscar bids for sensational eight-timer
Aisling Oscar headlines an 11-runner field in the Win £250,000 With BetMGM’s Golden Goals Handicap at Southwell as he looks to extend a remarkable winning streak.
The Adrian Keatley-trained five-year-old recorded a seventh consecutive success at Newcastle despite a 5lb rise, and connections will hope he can continue that run on this different surface.
Marry The Night, the bottom-weight, has thrived on the all-weather and doubled his tally on this track and trip when holding off Amarachi last time; he goes up 3lb but is expected to make a bold bid with Sean Kirrane aboard. Soames Forsyte, successful over course and distance 19 days ago, remains in form if a strong pace develops, while Bojan Bandit is frequently prominent and could run well for Patrick Morris.
2.45 Lingfield – Impressive point winner Largy Go debuts
Largy Go makes his hurdles debut in the attheraces.com/Marketmovers Maiden Hurdle at Lingfield and is an exciting newcomer for Jonjo and A. J. O’Neill.
A comfortable winner of a Loughbrickland maiden point-to-point in March, the son of Poet’s Word was bought for £305,000 at Goffs’ Aintree Sale in April and is expected to be well fancied under Jonjo O’Neill Jr.
West Along, trained by Richard Rowe, caught the eye when finishing third in a Fontwell bumper on Boxing Day and should be sharper now tackling hurdles. Love You Black was backed to favoritism on his first jump outing at Warwick in November and warrants attention on his return from a short break. Felix Maximus is one to note on debut too, being related to high-earner Zurekin.
Best of the rest
Doncaster’s Virgin Bet EBF Junior “National Hunt” Hurdle at 1.15pm features several interesting types, including Milou Du Chenet, who bids for a hat-trick for Warren Greatrex, and Mustang Du Breuil, transferred to Nicky Henderson after a debut win at Auteuil for JP McManus.
Later, a Frankel colt, Shabab Al Ahli, makes his racecourse debut for Charlie Appleby in the BetMGM Supports Safer Gambling Novice Stakes (5.30pm) at Southwell.