The British Flat turf season sparks into action on Saturday afternoon as Doncaster stages the Lincoln card.
The Town Moor contest is billed as the ‘Grand Opening of the British Flat season’ and a full field of 22 runners were declared on Thursday morning.
The first two home in last year’s race are set to line-up again with Mr Professor 4lb higher than when causing a 33/1 shock 12 months ago and the runner-up, Latham, now 2lb better off for that length-and-a-half defeat.
The Lincoln, over a mile, is set to go off at 3.35pm on Saturday afternoon and we’ve picked out two selections for the Doncaster showpiece.
Lincoln Handicap Betting Tips
Toimy Son primed for big run
After five straight four-year-old winners of the Lincoln, the last three renewals have gone to horses aged five (twice) and seven, and it could be another performer with plenty experience in his locker that prevails now.
Last year’s one-two, Mr Professor and Latham, will have their supporters again, but not since 1958 has any horse managed to stage a repeat win.
Thunder Run, who was last seen finishing fourth in the Balmoral Handicap on Champions Day, is one of two strong contenders for trainer Karl Burke alongside Native Warrior.
Irish hopes are carried by Orandi for trainer Tony Martin with Rossa Ryan an excellent ally in the saddle, but the raiders have a poor record in this race.
TOIMY SON is a six-year-old with a chance for David Menuisier. The French import had plenty of experience before joining this yard, including a Listed win at Longchamp (7f, good to soft) in May 2022 as a three-year-old.
He arrived in Britain with a mark of 108 and duly struggled in first season, but last time out things were much-improved.
He started out with a good run at Kempton on the Polytrack off a mark of 92 in April, defying 269 days off which bodes well for this assignment, and continued to run well on turf before landing the Golden Mile Handicap at Glorious Goodwood in August off a rating of 88.
He was third in the Cambridgeshire at Newmarket from 7lb higher and ran well again in the Balmoral at Ascot on Champions Day, finishing sixth of 20, form that ties in nicely with some of these rivals.
He’s still on a fair mark, has shown his ability to go well fresh and handles any conditions underfoot. He’s got a decent chance of giving teenage pilot Warren Fentiman a big Saturday winner. He’s a rising star in the weighing room and can claim a very useful 5lb in the plate.
Lincoln Handicap Tip 1: Toimy Son @ 12/1 with bet365
Whip Cracker worth a look
If it is to be a return to winning ways for the four-year-olds, then WHIP CRACKER could be the answer for Richard Hughes and Finley Marsh.
The Cracksman gelding was twice placed in Listed company at Newmarket (1m1f/1m2f) in the spring last year and also showed good form at Goodwood over a mile on testing ground on his final start in October.
This month’s comeback run at Wolverhampton in a Lincoln Trial was full of promise as he had plenty to do turning for home and had to manoeuvre between rivals to challenge before finishing a close fourth. He’s off an unchanged mark now and there could be more to come from him after that pipe opener.
Lincoln Handicap Tip 2: Whip Cracker @ 14/1 with bet365
