Race Report - 11th January 2012
Doncaster Racecourse
Wednesday 11th January 2012
GORES ISLAND had to dig deep to repel Sixty Something in a tight finish to the opener but obliged by half a length for trainer Noel Chance and jockey Jeremiah McGrath. The drying ground suited the winner, who relished the step up in trip having won over two miles at Towcester last month. A strong gallop, and decent going, also helped the runner-up who came from a long way back but just couldn't get to Gores Island.
1.40 Doncaster Racecourse Wedding Show 15th January Juvenile Hurdle (2m1/2f)
George Moore's filly TARANTELLA LADY, an 18-1 shot, set a good gallop and in doing so avoided the carnage that saw Blue Destination cause Art History to crash through the rails. The winner, who was wearing first-time cheekpieces and dropping back in trip, comfortably held the better-fancied Blue Destination, partnered by Dougie Costello, with 11-8 favourite Gottany O's looking less than enthusiastic back in third.
2.15 1stsecuritysolutions.co.uk Novices' Chase (3m)
LOOSE PREFORMER is improving nicely and supplemented his win at Leicester in game style to give young Jerry McGrath a double. Nicky Henderson's six-year-old was making only his fourth racecourse appearance and was left on his own after the tenth when only rival Edge Of Town pulled up. Loose Preformer looks a likely type for something like the four-mile National Hunt Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.
2.50 Pegler Yorkshire Handicap Hurdle (3m)
There was no stopping CORKAGE, who bounded to victory from Soleil D'Avril and favourite Peedeeque. Keith Reveley's winner, partnered by the trainer's son James, had failed to complete in both starts this season but gave weight away all round to gain his first success since the summer of 2009. He was eased down in beating Soleil D'Avril, who failed to complete previously at Huntingdon, but ran well in second.
3.25 St Leger Tickets On Sale 6th February Handicap Chase (3m)
QUETZAL, who loves a stamina test, had been in good form, winning at Hexham and Newcastle, and completed a double for James Reveley here despite blundering at the 12th fence. Martin Todhunter's winner held Amroth Bay, who built on the moderate promise he showed at Market Rasen back in November but simply ran out of gas in the run to the line. Get Ready To Go, who was keen, finished third.
3.55 Download Free Doncaster Racecourse i-Phone App Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race (2m1/2f)
Irish winner Shotavodka was well supported to win for leading trainer David Pipe, who was at Town Moor to see his horse in action. Approaching the final furlong, he was still in front but was overhauled by HI GEORGE inside the final 50 yards in what was just about the finish of the day. Malcolm Jefferson's runner, partnered by Dougie Costello, had been a beaten favourite at Haydock last time but put his previous experience to good effect to win by an official nose.
