THE LINCOLN HANDICAP has been the scene of many successful ante post gambles throughout the years, and this year may be no different.
Taqleed bids to follow up on Expresso Star’s 2009 success for John Gosden, and become the third winning favourite in-a-row in the race. As the first major flat handicap of the season in Britain the Lincoln invariably attracts attention, and Taqleed has been the subject of strong and continuous support over the past few weeks.
The four- year-old’s claims for the race are obvious. He ran a close sixth in the Cambridgeshire last year off the back of two fine wins in August and has a progressive profile. Today’s will be only his fifth start, so it’s very possible that there is more to come from the well-bred gelding.
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On the down side; his jockey Richard Hills yesterday expressed reservations over the drying ground, and considering his two most impressive performances came at distances beyond today’s trip of a mile he may well get out-paced on this surface. Given his relatively short odds of 9/2 it’s probably best to look elsewhere for value.
Life Begins at Four
Four-year-olds have an outstanding record in the race; six of the last ten winners have been of that age group. Apart from the favourite another three runners match that billing, and the one that appears to have the best chance is Barry Hills’ Gunner Lindley. The Medicean colt finished off last term with a gutsy win in York soon after narrowly going down by a nose in a tight race at Newmarket. Interestingly, that Newmarket battle saw him edge out subsequent Cambridgeshire hero Credit Swap – so his form ties in quite closely with that of the favourite.
Barry Hill’s stable have been in excellent form in the early part of the season, so there’s no reason to believe that their charge will be short of fitness. Connections may have hoped for a drop of rain, but as long as the ground doesn’t dry significantly then Gunner Linley is worth chancing at double figure odds to continue the excellent record of four-year-olds.
Of the remainder of the field, an each-way chance is given to Docofthebay. His recent second in a Listed race in Wolverhampton confirmed his well-being, and at 10 pounds below his career best mark he may still have something to offer. In the past the battle-hardened gelding has thrived in big field handicaps; so it would be no surprise to see him finish in the frame. Some firms are offering the first five to place, so shop around for the best deal.
Best of the Rest
The Cammidge Trophy over six furlongs is everything a sprint race should be – and that’s confusing. But it may be worth noting that Prime Defender has made the frame in the last three renewals of this, including a close second last term and a victory in 2009. He’s not getting any younger at seven, but may be worth keeping an eye on. At a price Doncaster Rover could be worth following, especially considering as he is three times the price of the favourite having given him a sound beating the last time they met.
Verdict
Gunner Lindley looks a decent price at 10/1 to continue winning ways for his generation. Docofthebay is worth chancing an each-way bet on at 16/1 with any firm that pays out on five places. If overcoming recent problems Doncaster Rover would be a big price to pounce, but a check in the market is advised to guide.
Best bets as flat season opens in Doncaster
THE LINCOLN HANDICAP has been the scene of many successful ante post gambles throughout the years, and this year may be no different.
Taqleed bids to follow up on Expresso Star’s 2009 success for John Gosden, and become the third winning favourite in-a-row in the race. As the first major flat handicap of the season in Britain the Lincoln invariably attracts attention, and Taqleed has been the subject of strong and continuous support over the past few weeks.
The four- year-old’s claims for the race are obvious. He ran a close sixth in the Cambridgeshire last year off the back of two fine wins in August and has a progressive profile. Today’s will be only his fifth start, so it’s very possible that there is more to come from the well-bred gelding.
On the down side; his jockey Richard Hills yesterday expressed reservations over the drying ground, and considering his two most impressive performances came at distances beyond today’s trip of a mile he may well get out-paced on this surface. Given his relatively short odds of 9/2 it’s probably best to look elsewhere for value.
Life Begins at Four
Four-year-olds have an outstanding record in the race; six of the last ten winners have been of that age group. Apart from the favourite another three runners match that billing, and the one that appears to have the best chance is Barry Hills’ Gunner Lindley. The Medicean colt finished off last term with a gutsy win in York soon after narrowly going down by a nose in a tight race at Newmarket. Interestingly, that Newmarket battle saw him edge out subsequent Cambridgeshire hero Credit Swap – so his form ties in quite closely with that of the favourite.
Barry Hill’s stable have been in excellent form in the early part of the season, so there’s no reason to believe that their charge will be short of fitness. Connections may have hoped for a drop of rain, but as long as the ground doesn’t dry significantly then Gunner Linley is worth chancing at double figure odds to continue the excellent record of four-year-olds.
Of the remainder of the field, an each-way chance is given to Docofthebay. His recent second in a Listed race in Wolverhampton confirmed his well-being, and at 10 pounds below his career best mark he may still have something to offer. In the past the battle-hardened gelding has thrived in big field handicaps; so it would be no surprise to see him finish in the frame. Some firms are offering the first five to place, so shop around for the best deal.
Best of the Rest
The Cammidge Trophy over six furlongs is everything a sprint race should be – and that’s confusing. But it may be worth noting that Prime Defender has made the frame in the last three renewals of this, including a close second last term and a victory in 2009. He’s not getting any younger at seven, but may be worth keeping an eye on. At a price Doncaster Rover could be worth following, especially considering as he is three times the price of the favourite having given him a sound beating the last time they met.
Verdict
Gunner Lindley looks a decent price at 10/1 to continue winning ways for his generation. Docofthebay is worth chancing an each-way bet on at 16/1 with any firm that pays out on five places. If overcoming recent problems Doncaster Rover would be a big price to pounce, but a check in the market is advised to guide.
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ammidge Trophy Gunner Lindley Horse Racing Whip Hand