Josh looking to boss Great Yorkshire rivals

Josh The Boss looks to have plenty in his favour when he steps up to three miles for the first time in the Virgin Bet Great Yorkshire Chase at Doncaster.

Since heading over fences this season the seven-year-old has taken his form to a new level, with a rating already 8lb higher than that he achieved over hurdles.

While he is still a novice, Willy Twiston-Davies, joint-trainer with father Nigel, who won the race three times with Young Hustler, Beau and Go Conquer, believes now could be the time to strike.

“It’s been the plan for a while with Josh to go up to three miles and we wanted to step up in trip over Christmas, but of course John Neild (owner) is a scouser and wanted to run at Aintree last time out,” he said.

“I thought he put in a great performance there and looked the winner everywhere apart from when nabbed on the line.

“I don’t see any reason why he wouldn’t get the trip, he has won around the course very well on similar ground and unexposed novices in this race can often go very well.

“Jamie (Neild, jockey) knows him inside out and he jumps and travels well and I think he has a lot more in his favour than against him.”

Joel Parkinson and Sue Smith’s Grand Geste is another seven-year-old novice with leading claims following his easy win in the Tommy Whittle at Haydock.

He has, though, got to contend with a 10lb rise in the weights.

“He’s in good form and came out of the Haydock race well, so we’re looking forward to Saturday,” said Parkinson.

“I would say there’s definitely more improvement in him. The way he did at Haydock he looks a progressive horse and I think we’re still on the up.

“It looks like we’re going to get a nice bit of (softer) ground, which will suit all ours.

“I think this horse is one for those big, three-mile plus races in the future. Whether we step him up this year I’m not sure, we might leave him at three, but we’ll see what happens on Saturday.

“It looks like a good opportunity anyway.”

Last year’s winner Docpickedme is back again for Richard Hobson and is gaining a reputation as a Doncaster specialist having also won over course and distance last time out.

“He’s ready to go. He did very well (winning the race last year) and his form’s been rock-solid,” said Hobson.

“We’ll see how it pans out, he likes bowling away. He’s got a few gears and if you take him on early doors then you’re going too quick.

“He’s a 10-year-old now so 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.”

Emma Lavelle’s King’s Threshold won the Mandarin Chase at Newbury over Christmas but softer ground and a 6lb rise are causes for concern.

Lavelle said: “He’s come out of Newbury in great form and looks great and all his work has been good.

“There is no doubt I would like it to stop raining, but when I looked at the race and how it was panning out, I felt we should take our chance.

“It’s not that he can’t run on soft ground, I just don’t think he is as impressive on it. He’s a much stronger horse, though, this year, so I do feel it’s worth a go with conditions as they are and Doncaster can turn out not as soft as some other tracks, so we’ll see how he goes.”