Consistent handicap chaser The Changing Man will aim to finally have his big day this Saturday as the Joe Tizzard-trained 8-year-old was among 23 horses entered for the £100,000 Great Yorkshire Handicap Chase which is set to be run over 3m at Doncaster this Saturday.
He finished an agonising second at Newcastle in the BetMGM Rehearsal Handicap Chase two starts ago when the rallying Frero Banbou got back up to deny him, and he filled the runner-up spot once again at Ascot before Christmas.
Forward Plan was third over this course and distance last time, and was only beaten a nose in this contest last year by Annual Invictus. Nigel Twiston-Davies is just one win away from equalling Fred Rimell’s record as the joint most successful trainer in the history of the Great Yorkshire Chase. He could be doubly represented this weekend after entering both Idalko Bihoue and Torn And Frayed.
The form of Snipe’s runner-up effort behind Val Dancer at Carlisle last time has been well advertised after that horse went on to land the Welsh Grand National recently. The Skelton team are yet to have won a renewal of this prestigious handicap.
Tightenourbelts would be another interesting contender if he were declared as he goes in search of a hat-trick. He was particularly impressive at Ludlow when scoring by 13 lengths last time and is a handicap chaser firmly on the up for Emma Lavelle.
96 runners have been declared on an eight-race card where there is over £380,000 in prize money up for grabs.
12 runners have been entered in the Grade 2 River Don Novices’ Hurdle worth £75,000. The standout name on show is the Betfair Winter Novices’ Hurdle winner Bill Joyce. The unexposed Belliano looked as though the step up to this trip would suit when winning at Ascot, while Gordon Elliott’s Minella Sixo is one of two Irish entries in this race.
The Grade 2 Virgin Bet Yorkshire Rose Mares’ Hurdle is worth £60,000 and has been won by some very talented mares down the years including the likes of Annie Power and Epatante.
11 entries have been made for this year’s running including the 145-rated Kateira who could revert to running against her own sex after finishing fifth in the Howden Long Walk Hurdle.
The action will kick off at 12:20pm with the Watch Unbridled On attheraces.com Fillies' Juvenile Hurdle set to be run over 2m½f. Racing will conclude at 4:10pm with the Play At The Races Stableduel Handicap Hurdle over 2m3½f . The going is currently described as Soft.
