Hi all,
After a very good Winter, the Flat turf season has been sneakily creeping up on us and the Lincoln meeting at Doncaster is the curtain raiser and I will focus on the big race last of all here to reveal my eighth and final selection for the day across all the domestic fixtures.
1) Maureen 2.40 Doncaster
Maureen is trying her hand at sprinting this year after a pretty unlucky campaign last season where she didn't get the rub of the green in the big races such as the English and Irish Guineas and was probably the likely winner but for being stopped in her run in the Rosemary Stakes at the back end of the season. She is a very strong traveller and has done her winning on turf with a bit of give in the ground so softer ground certainly doesn't blunt her turn of foot, and she is also on favourable terms with both Jack Dexter and Tropics here with her fillies allowance. She for me is overpriced at around 11/2 at the time of writing. Jack Dexter has to be respected and I feel as though Tropics may just need one run to get to A1 condition.
2) Born To Surprise ew 3.15 Doncaster
Born To Surprise runs in the ultra competitive Spring Mile, a consolation race for the Lincoln for trainer Lee Carter and jockey Amir Quinn. Lee Carter has had his string in fine fettle this winter, as proved by the stats. In 2012, he had a record of 8/105, followed by 12/136 in 2013 but in 2014 he is already 11/68, and considering he is taking cast-offs effectively, he is doing an even better job. This horse is very talented and just lost his way for Michael Bell, so the change of yard over the winter wasn't a bad thing, and he ran an eyecatching race at Kempton lately, on his seasonal and yard debut, staying on late under hands and heels over further. He has won twice at Doncaster from three visits and I think he could outrun his odds of 33/1 at present.
3) Zafranagar 5.35 Doncaster
This lad is just about my nap of the day. In a race that probably won't take a great deal of winning, I can't see any reason why this nine year old won't be bang there at the end. He won this same race two years ago off a 4lb higher mark and having won over hurdles in November, he is clearly well within himself at present. I think he has a huge chance, although if there was some improvement from Roger Thorpe for this step up in trip, he could be the main danger.
4) Streets Of Newyork 2.55 Kempton
I posted on Twitter a while back that I thought this horse had a big race in him now he has moved to Brian Ellison, and this race might be perfect. After a very eyecatching effort at Musselburgh over hurdles on New Year's Day, he has finished in the frame twice in Southwell maidens over seven furlongs and a mile, staying on well on both occasions. He is up to eleven furlongs here and only has 8st 1lb to carry. I think there are much worse 12/1 shots around on Saturday than this lad.
5) Noble Protector 5.15 Kempton
Noble Protector is a horse who I have always had an eye on for a fruitful four year old campaign as I still think he was a big, raw baby. Hopefully with another winter under him, he should be well handicapped off a mark of 80 and he can make his presence felt here against older and more exposed rivals.
6) Kelvingrove 1.55 Stratford
A horse who I followed through the last Flat season and was bought for pretty big money for his new connections at the end of last year. He hasn't raced over hurdles yet but is a potentially very exciting recruit for Jonjo O'Neill and jockey Maurice Linehan. He was the best of these on the Flat and receives the best part of a stone from the majority of the field due to the four year old allowance and the rider's 5lb claim. I am really looking forward to seeing how he gets on.
7) Go West Young Man 3.55 Uttoxeter
Go West Young Man is a horse I've been keeping an eye on for handicaps on ground with some give in it, and that's what he's got here. He has an opening mark of 109 to go to war with, which is not unfair by any means and although he is up against two last time out winners here, he should be in the shake up.
8) Tres Coronas 3.50 Doncaster
Finally The Lincoln Handicap at 3.50, and I think there are a few who can go well here. Levitate will be thereabouts again as well as Off Art. Unsinkable is an interesting runner for Jonjo O'Neill who has good success in recent times with his Flat horses such as Tominator and Well Sharp, and this one has last season's leading apprentice Jason Hart aboard. I think however I am happy with two against the field, and they are Whispering Warrior and more so Tres Coronas. Whispering Warrior is thoroughly progressive and won the Lincoln Trial under a different rider last time at Wolverhampton but he has an equally impressive record on turf so that is not a problem. He could be the Group horse in here. Tres Coronas is a seven year old but always seems best with a run under his belt, and I felt he was a bit unlucky not to finish closer to Whispering Warrior last time and now gets a 5lb weight pull which should put them very close together.
I think both will go well.
If you want a Meydan interest for World Cup night, then maybe an each way lucky 15 of Shuruq 1.10, Dabadiyan 1.45, Mshawish 4.39 and Akeed Mofeed 6.05 might fit the bill.
Any feedback? Either fill in the box below or tweet me @willbowler2k12.
Be lucky,
Will
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