Gonalston Cloud conquers Doncaster rivals

A review of Friday's meeting at Doncaster as Gonalston Cloud won the Sky Bet Handicap Chase at Doncaster.

Gonalston Cloud could be the silver lining for Nick Kent after the nine-year-old followed up last month's Catterick success in game style in the Sky Bet Handicap Chase at Doncaster.

The Brigg handler would dearly love to have a bigger string and showed that with the right ammunition he can take on the big boys.

Gonalston Cloud (4-1 favourite) stuck to his task really well to see off the Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained Hollow Blue Sky by nine lengths under Andrew Tinkler.

"We'd have liked the ground softer, but he's been brave there and kept going. He loves it and came out of his last race at Catterick really well," said Kent.

"We'd like to go for a staying race, maybe something over three and a half miles.

"He won five out of six point-to-points last year and he did win two on fastish ground, which wouldn't have been ideal for him.

"I was concerned about the ground and did think about pulling him out. Andrew said he was just outpaced mid-race.

"I decided to run him here as I knew it would be on. He's been in three races since he last ran but all those were called off.

"I've 14 horses on the go at the minute, but I'd love to have more."

Doncaster standing dish Night In Milan (6-1) is set to return to Town Moor for his next start after registering his third course success in the Sky Bet Handicap Hurdle.

Owner Richard Collins said: "He'll come back here next month for the veterans' chase. He's on a half decent mark. He might go for another hurdle race after that."

The 10-year-old ran out an emphatic eight-length winner from Horsted Valley to give 3lb claimer Harry Challoner a successful spare ride.

Challoner took over from James Reveley after the son of trainer Keith Reveley was taken to Doncaster Royal Infirmary suffering from concussion following a fall from Harvey's Hope in the opening race.

"It's a shame James got concussed early on, but good for me to get the ride on such on old favourite. He just loves it here," said Challoner.

"The ground was just right for him. You wouldn't get it like this anywhere else at this time of year."

Thomas Brown (7-4 favourite) came home 10 lengths clear of Vintage Vinnie in a dramatic race for the Sky Bet Novices' Chase.

The Tourad Man came down at the second fence, hampering Saint Roque, who was then pulled up.

That left just three in this extended three-mile contest and Thomas Brown was able to pick off long-time leader Vintage Vinnie from two out to strike for trainer Harry Fry and jockey Brian Hughes.

"It was a typical chase with a few incidents, but he's done it well. The ground is the key to him," said Fry.

"Where we go from here I'm not sure. He's got Cheltenham engagements but we'll go home, have a chat and make up our minds."

Hughes completed a double on Quill Art (3-1 favourite) to give Yorkshire's top Flat trainer Richard Fahey a second win over jumps this season in the Sky Bet Novices' Handicap Hurdle.

The Tourad Man's rider Wayne Hutchinson hurt his foot in the tumble and missed a winning ride on Big Chief Benny (2-1 favourite) in the Sky Bet Thanks Jen Noble Maiden Hurdle.

He was replaced by Denis O'Regan, who brought the Alan King-trained five-year-old with a well-timed run to land the spoils by two lengths from Cottersrock.

Speaking from Huntingdon, King said: "He is a very promising young horse. We waited for the better ground today and I think that has helped.

"He is a smashing young prospect but we won't get carried away at the minute."

Cyrius Moriviere (100-30) bounced back after being pulled up on heavy ground in the Grade One Tolworth Hurdle at Sandown with an emphatic victory in the Sky Bet Novices' Hurdle.

Making most of the running in the hands of 5lb claimer Maurice Linehan, the Ben Pauling-trained six-year-old romped home by 19 lengths from Moabit.

"He's a nice horse ands quite clearly doesn't handle heavy ground and had I realised that after he won at Huntingdon we wouldn't have bothered with the Tolworth," said Pauling.

"No harm, though. He didn't have a hard race at Sandown. He's come out if it well and has won with his penalty. We are very pleased with him.

"We might go for a good handicap now. The best thing about him is his jumping and we almost went novice chasing with him straight away. I'm glad we've run him over hurdles first."

Jeremy Scott's 234-mile trip to Doncaster with just one runner was rewarded when Native Robin (20-1) made a winning debut over fences in the Sky Bet Novices' Handicap Chase.

The six-year-old was a maiden in point-to-points and over hurdles but he relished the fences and the decent ground as he won by three and a half lengths from The Mumper under Nick Scholfield.

"We left at 5am and it took about four and a half hours," said Scott.

"As soon as I walked the course I thought the ground would suit him.

"I know he's run in point-to-points, but this is was first time over steeplechase fences and he's got into a great rhythm.

"His jumping has won it. He's no world-beater."