Date: Thursday 5th February 2026
Race: Virgin Bet Daily Price Boosts Handicap Hurdle (Class 3)
We have a small field of six for the 2.25 at Doncaster, but the market has this priced up all wrong. The books have Im A Lumberjack as the 11/8 favourite, but the value—and the winner—lies elsewhere.
The Selection: Storming George (5/2)
Forget his last run. He was pulled up/tailed off in a Grade 1 at Aintree. That was a massive overreach in class. Today, he drops back into a Class 3 Handicap, and crucially, he returns to Doncaster.
Here is why he is the bet of the day:
Horses for Courses: He is 2 from 2 at Doncaster. He won a bumper here in January ’25 and bolted up by 12 lengths over this Course and Distance in November. He loves the long, galloping straights of Town Moor.
Trainer Form: Neil King’s yard is flying. He’s operating at a 27% strike rate (3 wins from 11) in the last 30 days. When a small yard hits form, you back them.
The Handicap Mark: Running off 125 in this company is a gift compared to the Grade 1 company he faced last time.
The Dangers
Im A Lumberjack is the obvious threat. He is consistent (50% place rate) and ran a solid second at Newbury last month. He will run his race, but he lacks the killer course form of the selection. At 11/8, he’s too short.
Huffin An A Puffin is the enigma. He won his only start but hasn’t been seen for 685 days. Asking a horse to win a competitive handicap after nearly two years off the track is a massive ask. Let him win at 14/1 without your money.
Verdict
Storming George is a course specialist dropping in class from a yard in form. The 5/2 is a standout price.
Bet: STORMING GEORGE – Win