The 2017 renewal of the Great Yorkshire Chase will be held at Doncaster Racecourse, on Saturday January 28th. This is a 3m handicap event, open to horses aged 5 years or more. We already have a live ante-post market, so let’s look at some of the horses that are already prominent in it.
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Definitly Red
Brian Ellison trains this Irish 8-year-old chestnut gelding, who won the Hillhouse Quarry Handicap Chase at Ayr last April. Since then, he has been victorious in a Class 2 handicap at Carlisle and also the G3 Rowland Meyrick Handicap Chase last time out at Wetherby on Boxing Day. This was particularly impressive, despite getting significant weight from the likes of Blaklion (12lb) and Yala Enki (8lb).
Regal Encore
Looked to be well out of sorts, when pulling-up at Newbury and completely out of luck at Cheltenham where events conspired to force another early exit from the King’s Theatre-sired runner. He then caused a big upset, when winning the Listed Ascot Silver Cup (he was 2lb worse-off than Minella Daddy, who finished 2nd). Formidable when at his best, although he has only made it home in 3 of his last 9 outings.
Southfield Royale
This Presenting-sired 7-year-old beat Coologue by 13 lengths, when landing the spoils in the 2015 G2 December Novices’ Chase at this racecourse. He was also runner-up in the 2015 G1 Kauto Star Novices’ Chase, finishing almost 4 lengths ahead of Native River. Southfield Royale blundered when in contention at Cheltenham last March (Listed Amateur Riders’ Novices’ Chase) and hasn’t been seen since disappointing connections in the G1 Champion Novice Chase at Punchestown (April). Worth keeping an eye on at least, though.
This is always a highly competitive encounter and there are many more with chances. These include Saphir Du Rheu, Ziga Boy, Vicente, Sandy Beach, Rock The Kasbah, Out Sam, Calett Mad and Bigbadjohn.
Racing At Doncaster
Also known as the Town Moor course, Doncaster holds many good races, the best of which are the St Leger Stakes and the Racing Post Trophy. Both of these are G1 events.
There are records of races being held here, going back to the Sixteenth Century. Indeed, the course was nearly closed in the year 1600 due to concern about the number of undesirables who were among the spectators!
Of the races still run today, the Doncaster Cup is the oldest and it dates back to 1766. The Doncaster Cup, the Ascot Gold Cup and the Goodwood Cup, form the trio of races required to be won by stayers, if they want to truly cement their place in history.
Major Doncaster Races
The St Leger is the oldest classic race, in the world. It is for 3-year-olds and both fillies and colts may take part. This race is run every September and the distance is just over 1m 6f. Of the 5 ‘classics’, in the racing calendar, this is the last to be run. Nowadays, it is rare for owners to try and win the coveted Triple Crown (the 2000 Guineas, the Derby and the St Leger), although Camelot came close in 2012. 2nd place in the St Leger put paid to those ambitions, though. Some fantastic horses have won the St Leger, including Nijinsky, Oh So Sharp, Bobs Return and the 2016 winner, Harbour Law.
The Racing Post Trophy is a much more recent addition to the portfolio of big races run at Doncaster. The is G1 juvenile encounter is run over a mile. It was founded in 1961 and often offers pointers for next year’s Derby. Notable winners include Noblesse, Reference Point, Kings Theatre, Authorized, Camelot and the 2016 champion, Rivet.
The Lincoln
The Lincoln Handicap is either held in late March, or in early April. It is run over 1m and is for horses that are 4 years old and over. The Lincoln and the Grand National are referred to as ‘The Spring Double’. The 2016 renewal was won by Secret Brief.
The G2 May Hill Stakes is also run over a mile and is exclusively for fillies. This race is held on the day before the St Leger and horses that do well here often go on to compete in the Fillies Mile, at Newmarket. Some of the better-known winners include Height Of Fashion, Midway Lady, Reams Of Verse and Rainbow View.
Run over 1m 4f, the November Handicap is for thoroughbreds aged 3 years and above. This race has been running since 1876 and often throws up some big-priced winners.
The Great Yorkshire Chase is just one of many great races held at Doncaster, each year. Make sure you don’t miss it!
