Horse Racing Tips
Great Yorkshire Chase 2026: Runner-By-Runner Guide
Steve Mullington casts his eye over the runners and riders ahead of the 2026 Great Yorkshire Chase at Doncaster this weekend.
In recent years the Great Yorkshire has been seen as a very competitive betting handicap in its own right, and on occasion is still one of the stepping stones on the way to a tilt at the Grand National at Aintree.
Let’s look at all the competitors taking part this year:
DEEP CAVE (Christian Williams)
When the Christian Williams-trained Deep Cave went and won the 3m Weatherbys and Birdie Calendars Handicap Chase at Bangor in November, he certainly went down in my tracker as a horse that could possibly pick up a big chase at the Cheltenham Festival or even compete in the Grand National.
Currently two from two this season, this horse is a chaser on the up and he can take yet another scalp on Saturday afternoon.
KING’S THRESHOLD (Emma Lavelle)
Nine-year-old King’s Threshold landed the Mandarin Chase at Newbury in nice style at the end of December.
The 3m2f contest is considered a good barometer for decent chasers and the 137-rated runner can be in the mix.
JOSH THE BOSS (Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies)
If it keeps racing over the next few days, then Josh The Boss will certainly come into the reckoning.
The Neild’s love a mudlark and the way “Josh” won at Doncaster in November, this extra distance will be ideal for him.
JOYEUX MACHIN (Dan Skelton)
Three miles appeared to be his optimum trip when he last raced at Doncaster, and it would come as a surprise to me if he can eek out any further stamina reserves.
DOCPICKEDME (Richard Hobson)
Front running Docpickedme loves Doncaster and will certainly put in another bold show around Town Moor.
The ten-year-old is currently a generous each-way rice under 5lb claimer Charlie Maggs.
GRAND GESTE (Joel Parkinson/Sue Smith)
Grand Geste jumped them into submission from the front in The Tommy Whittle Chase at Haydock, and the seven-year-old is an exciting prospect going forward. Who however will win the Docpickedme versus Grand Geste front running battle?
WALKING ON AIR (Faye Bramley)
The nine-year-old has been struggling to recapture any of his old form, but we all know how Faye Bramley changed the fortunes of Glengouly around.
DARTMOOR PIRATE (Anthony Honeyball)
A winner last time out, this Black Sam Bellamy-gelding will need to step up another level to get competitive over this trip.
NEW ORDER (Charlie Longsdon)
Charlie Longsdon’s charge is potentially a dark horse in this horse racing betting handicap, especially if he can perform as well as he did on New Year’s Day at Cheltenham.
KELCE (Neil Mulholland)
Carrying such a low weight, thorough stayer Kelce should not be ignored, especially after two splendid efforts at both Cheltenham and Aintree this season.
Great Yorkshire Chase tip: Deep Cave to WIN (4/1)
*Odds subject to change – prices accurate at the time of writing*
