Thedeviluno better than the rest at Doncaster
By Racing TV
Last Updated: Sat 24 Jan 2026
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.”
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