13:05 – CONNECTIVE @ 4/1
Connective took a step back in the right direction when finishing a close-up fifth at Musselburgh last time and he gets the nod to land a tricky opener. Connective was outpaced at Musselburgh but stayed on strongly in the style of a horse who will benefit from a return to this trip, and he appears to be a on a fair mark.
13:35 – CRAIGNIECHE @ 8/15
Craigneiche looked a good prospect when winning a Market Rasen bumper on debut and he caught the eye on his first start over hurdles at Newbury last month, staying on strongly to finish third behind an exciting sort. He is entitled to come on for that experience and should prove difficult to beat if making the anticipated improvement.
14:10 – COSTWOLD WAY @ 7/2
Cotswold Way fared well over hurdles last season, winning on four occasions. He has yet to get off the mark over fences, but he has shaped with some promise and looks to have been found a decent opportunity. He sets the clear standard and his experience over fences should count for plenty here. The Big Bite disappointed on his chasing debut but has the physique of a horse who should make a decent chaser, so he is considered the main threat.
14:40 – GLOBAL SOCIETY @ 9/4
Global Society finished runner-up on all three starts in bumpers for Gordon Elliott, showing fair form, and he is of obvious interest on his hurdles debut for Nicky Henderson. Global Society comes from a decent jumping family – his dam is a half-sister to Irish Grand National winner Thunder And Roses – and can strike at the first attempt over hurdles. Perfect Predator has the best form of those with experience over obstacles and is likely to capitalise if Global Society fails to meet expectations.
15:15 – BALLYMAGROARTY BOY @ 5/1
This is a tight-knit contest and tricky to call, but Ballymagroarty Boy makes most appeal on the back of a promising chase debut at Chepstow. He showed fairly useful form over hurdles last season, winning a conditional jockeys’ event at Haydock, and he offered some encouragement on his first start over fences, finishing fifth (in a race that has worked out well) despite putting in a few untidy jumps. His jumping is likely to become more polished with experience and he has since undergone wind surgery, which also offers hope for improvement.
15:50 – THEFLICKERINGLIGHT @ 9/4
Theflickeringlight showed improved form to make a winning handicap debut at Newcastle and then progressed further to defy a penalty at Wetherby, coming away from a field of largely unexposed novice handicappers in good style. She has a 10 lb higher mark to defy but is clearly on a steep upward curve and can complete the hat-trick.
Doncaster Selections:
13:05 – Connective @ 4/1
13:35 – Craignieche @ 8/15
14:10 – Costwold Way @ 7/2
14:40 – Global Society @ 9/4
15:15 – Ballymagroarty Boy @ 5/1
15:50 – Theflickeringlight @ 9/4
*All prices correct at time of posting
Specific NRNB prices on certain Cheltenham 2020 races are right here