Virgin Bet Great Yorkshire Chase
Listed Handicap 14:05
Doncaster
£100,000 guaranteed, 5yo plus,
2m 7f 214yds, Class 1  
Saturday 24th January 2026

There’s something about Doncaster in winter that lends itself to drama. The long home straight, the low sun, the crowd sensing a staying chase about to be decided. And on Saturday, the Virgin Bet Great Yorkshire Chase has a familiar storyline at its heart — the champion returning to defend his crown.

Docpickedme arrives back on Town Moor with unfinished business and history in his sights. Richard Hobson’s 10-year-old is bidding to become only the second horse to win this prestigious handicap twice, following Ziga Boy’s back-to-back triumphs in 2016 and 2017. It’s a rare feat in a race that demands resilience, rhythm and a touch of ruthlessness.

Hobson sounds quietly confident. “He’s ready to go. He did very well winning the race last year. His form’s been rock solid,” he says. And the evidence backs him up. A solid third in the Rehearsal Chase at Newcastle showed he remains competitive at this level, and last month he recorded a third Doncaster victory from just five course appearances — a track clearly to his liking and a perfect tune-up for this return.

Last year’s edition still lingers in the memory. Turning for home, the race was poised on a knife-edge before Walking On Air crashed out at the final fence, leaving Docpickedme clear to stride away and deny The Changing Man. There was fortune involved, but good horses are always in the right place to take advantage.

Tactics will again be central to his chance. “He likes bowling away,” Hobson explains. “He’s quite quick, he’s got a few gears. If you take him on early doors then you’re going too quick. He likes to get into that rhythm.” Expect him to be prominent, stretching rivals from a long way out — the kind of front-running that can break hearts in a staying handicap.

Age is the only question mark. A 10-year-old in a demanding race, but Hobson sees it differently. “If he does well and wins at Doncaster, he’s won two big pots this year. If any horse can do that, it’s amazing.” And there’s no doubt the horse retains enthusiasm for the job.

The opposition is deep. Nicky Henderson’s Hyland sits proudly at the top of the weights, classy and consistent. Deep Cave brings Ascot-winning form. King’s Threshold arrives off a Newbury success. Josh The Boss represents novice potential. And Grand Geste must shoulder a 10lb rise after landing the Tommy Whittle at Haydock, but arrives in the form of his life.

Thirteen go to post. Stamina will be tested. Jumping will be decisive. And somewhere in the long Doncaster straight, Docpickedme will attempt to write himself into the race’s modern folklore.

Defending champions rarely get fairytales in handicaps. But on Town Moor this Saturday, there’s every chance the old warrior gets his moment again.

BoyleSports

Great Yorkshire Chase
£100,000 guaranteed, 5yo plus, 2m 7f 214yds, Class 1
13 entries
Going: Good to Soft

NO. FORM HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY
1 2P-974 Hyland 9 12-0 Nicky Henderson
2 461-11 Deep Cave 8 11-12 Christian Williams
3 1P-041 King's Threshold 9 11-8 Emma Lavelle
4 -82112 Josh The Boss 7 11-4 Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies
5 3PP-66 King Turgeon 8 11-4 David Pipe
6 22-784 Joyeux Machin 9 11-4 Dan Skelton
7 9-3122 Torn And Frayed 12 11-3 Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies
8 1P-531 Docpickedme 10 11-2 Richard Hobson
9 4P-221 Grand Geste 7 11-0 Joel Parkinson & Sue Smith
10 3F0P-8 Walking On Air 9 10-12 Faye Bramley
11 250-51 Dartmoor Pirate 7 10-10 Anthony Honeyball
12 11-523 New Order 8 10-10 Charlie Longsdon
13 21-472 Kelce 8 10-3 Neil Mulholland

horse racing