As the end of the 2025 began to loom larger on the horizon, the National Hunt action at Doncaster began to start in earnest. Having already seen its opening fixture over jumps take place a few weeks ago, there would be an early start for punters with a start time before midday. A key feature which is new to Doncaster for this season would be the inclusion of "EasyFix" hurdles, a mandated obstacle made of padding which has been brought in for safety reasons. These new look hurdles have contributed to less fallers on average around the country and have been seen as a success.

Those attending the course for this pre-Christmas fixture would be treated to some modest level races, but a mixture of competitive events of all kinds. There would be the potential for some future stars on show, courtesy of an intriguing juvenile hurdle and novice chase. 

Race One: The Download The At The Races App Handicap Chase - Class Four - Three Miles - Runners:

The action would get underway with a staying handicap chase over the stamina sapping three miles. The class four event will see a number of regulars on the Northern circuit return to do battle once again and the easy nature of the course can provide mixed outcomes. 

Race Two: The Sky Sports Racing Virgin 519 Juvenile Maiden Hurdle - Class Four - Two Miles - Runners:

Next up would be the first of three novice events in a row, but punters will find life difficult to separate the runners given their lack of experience. Restricted to three-year-olds only, this contest takes place at the infancy of a hurdlers' career and all roads could lead to races such as the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham and Anniversary Hurdle at Aintree next spring. There is a long way to go from here, but there would be plenty of fresh faces on display. Twelve months ago, the Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero-trained Melon travelled powerfully and won a shade cosily despite some late jumping errors. He would go on to win once more that season.

Race Three: The Free Race Replays On attheraces.com Novices' Handicap Hurdle - Class Five - Two Miles, Three Furlongs - Runners:
Next up would see the action move to the intermediate distance of two and a half miles for this novice handicap hurdle. The lowly class five event is perceived as a good opportunity for horses who have found novice events difficult recently and have now found their level in handicap company. The race would be won last year by Sauce Of Life, who gained a narrow victory and helped to boost the already healthy strike rate at Doncaster for trainer Nicky Richards.

Race Four: The Free Bets On attheraces.com 'Chasing Excellence' Novices' Chase - Class Three - Three Miles - Runners:
The feature race of the day would come in the form of this class three novice chase in a program which has been given a boost in terms of prestige. The newly dubbed "Chasing Excellence" scheme was introduced at the start of this season with better quality races and improved prize money for those involved. These races must also include a horse who achieved a rating of over 120 during their hurdling career, which helps attract more higher quality horses. The race was run as a novice handicap, but would see Nigel Twiston-Davies's The Kniphand take a wide margin victory prior to finishing second here later in the season in the Grimthorpe Chase.

Race Five: The attheraces.com/marketmovers Handicap Hurdle - Class Four - Two Miles - Runners:

The action would revert back to the minimum trip for this competitive handicap hurdle over two miles. Just like in the opening event, there would be some well known faces to regular racegoers and the action promised to be tightly packed. Back in 2024, this race took place over fences and saw the very consistent Yealand record one of his numerous wins during last season as Jennie Candlish's gelding progressed into a smart type.

Race Six: The Free Tips Daily On attheraces.com Mares' Handicap Hurdle - Class Five - Three Miles - Runners:

The penultimate event would see the turn of the mares taking to the track for this low level handicap hurdle over three miles. Twelve months ago would see another exciting finish as the James Owen-trained Squiggles bravely denied the much more experienced Phillipa Sue in what would be her first and only win under rules.