Thedeviluno better than the rest at Doncaster

Thedeviluno emerged as a genuine contender for Cheltenham Festival honours with a commanding display in the Virgin Bet Daily Extra Places River Don Novices’ Hurdle at Doncaster.

Second to Willie Mullins’ Doctor Steinberg in a Grade Two at Navan last time out, the Paul Nolan-trained gelding went on his way as a 15-2 chance on Town Moor, for what looked a very competitive Grade Two.

He was given an ultra-patient ride by Sean O’Keeffe, who was at pains to keep his mount on the bridle as long as possible.

Ruth Jefferson’s Country Code was the only one to make a race of it and at one point they were separated by the width of the track. But when they came together it was the Irish challenger who displayed stamina in abundance to win by five lengths.

Paddy Power cut the winner to 14-1 from 33s for the Albert Bartlett.

“Sean was super-cool on him. When they jumped off and went a good gallop in that ground I thought they had to ease off at some stage,” said Nolan.

“To be fair I could see Sean was coming up to challenge going well, but there was the horse on the other side challenging too and I didn’t know if he’d go past, but I could see Sean hadn’t fully gone for him.

“He just had loads of horse at all stages. I was disappointed when he got beat at Navan last time, without sounding cocky, but the horse he beat the first day (Skylight Hussle) has won a Grade One, so hopefully all roads lead to the Albert Bartlett now.

“We had Latest Exhibition just beaten in it by Monkfish a few years ago (2020) and he was just unfortunate to bump into a machine a few times, but he did win his Grade One so I’m hoping to god if this fella is half as good we’ll be happy.”

The afternoon got even better for Nolan on his first visit to Town Moor when Feet Of A Dancer justified 7-4 favouritism in the Virgin Bet A Good Bet Yorkshire Rose Mares’ Hurdle.

Fourth in the Pertemps Final in March, she certainly deserved a big prize and yet again O’Keeffe excelled, delaying his challenge to beat fellow Irish raider Dream On Baby (Emmet Mullins), who tried to make all.

She cam home two lengths clear with Jessica Harrington’s Jetara back in third meaning a clean sweep of the places for the Irish.

“She deserved that pot, it’s great for her. We were two or three lengths in front of the second last time over two and a half and they’ve almost run to the pound over three,” said Nolan.

“She’s in the Stayers’ but she’s a stone and a half to find so you have to be realistic, although the Stayers’ can throw up the odd strange result.

“She’s obviously in the mares’ race, but you might have Lossiemouth and Wodhooh in that.

“It’s great she’s won a graded race and we were trying to stay away from Ireland really!”