Hi all,
No selections today but I will be back tomorrow. However, I do I have another ante-post selection for Saturday’s Lincoln Handicap.
The flat is back on Saturday and with it the first big betting race of the season the Lincoln Handicap. When I began my punting journey in the 80s the Lincoln had a lively ante post market and was part of the “Spring Double” along with the Grand National. In recent years that hasn’t been the case. The race has lost a bit of its lustre and you don’t hear too much about the spring double either.
Hopefully some of you got on the 14/1 ante post on King Ottokar for the Lincoln. The 5-year-old has been well backed this week and is now as low as 7/1 for Saturday’s big race. Although you can still 9/1 in a few places.
Unibet Lincoln Handicap
The going at Doncaster is good for the start of the flat season. It’s set to be mostly dry but some showers are forecast for Friday.
It looks a strong renewal of the race. Apart from King Ottokar there are plenty of others in with a chance. Here are my thoughts on those at the front of the market.
Eastern World heads the ante post betting. A winner in Meydan last month. He bids to give Charlie Appleby a third win in the race and James Doyle a hat trick of wins. The trainer’s Secret Brief also won at Meydan before taking this in 2016.
Haqeeqy, a winner here over 7f last September, has got stamina to prove but the 4-year-old will have assistance of promising 7lb apprentice Benoit De La Sayette in the saddle.
Brentford Hope finally put in the performance that connections had been expecting when appreciating the drop back to a mile at Haydock (heavy) in October. He’s up 8lb and the ground will be different to last time but he could be Group horse in the making.
Danyah will like the good ground. He gallops rather than a quickens so a strongly run race would see him at his best.
River Nymph has been tipped by Hugh Taylor in his At The Races column. He seems on a good mark but maybe better at 7f.
Trainer Michael Dods hasn’t had a runner in the Lincoln since saddling Sweet Lightning to success in 2011. He saddles Brunch who developed into a smart handicapper last season. Brunch will appreciate the drying ground he’s 2-3 on good or quicker and he also win first time up last season. He’s on a decent mark and looks capable of a bit more improvement as a 4-year-old and shouldn’t be far away on Saturday. The 16/1 available with William Hill looks a bit of each-way value to me.
I may have another selection to add to King Ottokar & Brunch on the day.
1pt each way – Brunch – 16/1 @ William Hill (paying 4 places ¼ odds)
Cheers
John