The Flat Is Back! Action from Doncaster where the Lincoln takes centre stage - 29/03/25
- Will Sprigg
- Mar 28
- 5 min read
Updated: Oct 1
The flat is back! After a long a drawn out National Hunt season the flat turf is underway, The Lincoln Heritage handicap is main race on day 1 of the first weekend. Field of 22 goes to post where Thunder Run is the current favourite at 5/1 for Karl Burke and jockey Clifford Lee.
Ground is currently good to soft but with a positive forecast it could dry up but they do have some showers forecasted, horses with form on slower ground should come to the for on a busy days of racing.
13:15 William Hill Top Price Guarantee EBF Brocklesby Stakes
Flat Turf, Class 2
Runners 17
Distance 5 furlongs
Going Good to soft
1st place £20,616
Our Selections for the race
To win Norman's Clay (11/4)
March Foal, 60,000 guineas yearling. Sioux Nation Half-brother to German 1m 2 year old Winner Bright Smiles, out of 1m1f winner. Connections won this in 2022, comes from connections who demand respect.
Each-way The Boreham Bullet (12/1)
March foal, 3,000 euros foal. 1,000 guineas as a yearling by Kessaar and the first foal of a 6 furlong winner. Trainer has good form in this including winning it 6 times and was runner up last year.
13:50 William Hill Bet £10 Get £10 Spring Mile Handicap
Flat Turf, Handicap Class 2
Runners 22
Distance 1 mile
Going Good to soft
1st place £38,655
Our selections for the race
To win Pressure's On (15/2)
Well backed on his first win at Newmarket in November and made an okay reappearance at Wolverhampton over 7f and shaped during that like he would want further so the step up to a mile should suit. Player under Rossa Ryan.
Each-way Ocean Of Dreams (11/1)
Bought out of Aidan O'Brien for 32,000 guineas, best form was on debut when he won well, ran well on his final start for Aidan. Headgear goes on now and he could be dangerous for new connections under Hollie Doyle.
14:25 William Hill Best Odds Guaranteed Cammidge Trophy Stakes (Listed Race)
Flat Turf, Listed Class 1
Runners 9
Distance 6 furlongs
Going Good to soft
1st place £34,026
Our selections for the race
To win Spycatcher (9/2)
Top class sprinter who won at Deauville seeing off James's Delight in Group3 who reappears here. Ran in a Group 1 at Ascot where he finished 6th. Best from is when he is fresh so catching him today is a bonus so strong claims here.
Each-way Iberian (8/1)
Hugely talented 2 year old and also won a strong Group 2 here. Ran in 2 group 1s last year but was soundly beaten in both, had wind surgery after that and that's had a positive affect where he beat a Southwell course specialist in a 6f conditions race. interesting now trying this trip on turf.
15:00 William Hill Doncaster Mile Stakes (Listed Race)
Flat Turf, Listed Class 1
Runners 9
Distance 1 mile
Going Good to soft
1st place £34,026
Our selections for the race
To win Botanical (10/3)
Favourite in a 1m2f Goodwood listed race (soft) last Autumn and that was his first run for George Boughey and that was a career best. Won on his reappearance last year and has had wind surgery so today might be the day to back him. Billy Loughnane rides and he's in flying form.
Each-way Point Lynas (15/2)
Easy winner making all at Pontefract in a mile listed race (good to firm) on his final start last year. Arrives here fit after a great run in a Group 2 in Qatar (Good) last month. Ground might be slower then ideal but he's in the mix on his best form.
15:35 William Hill Lincoln (Heritage Handicap)
Flat Turf, Handicap Class 2
Runners 22
Distance 1 mile
Going Good to soft
1st place £77,310
Our selections for the race
To win Thunder Run (5/1)
Made it 3 wins from 5 when making all in Big-field handicap at York (1m) last August. Then a good 4th of 20 at Ascot (1m, soft) Conditions where to blame last time. Lightly raced for a 4 year old and will be a Group horse in time.
Each-way Whip Cracker (14/1)
Listed runner up (1m, Listed) on his reappearance last year but heavy ground was to blame in 2 other runs last year but he ran well. Well backed on reappearance at Wolverhampton three weeks ago when finishing a close 4th. Lightly raced and another that could be a group runner in a handicap.
14:05 Virgin Bet Queen's Prize Handicap (London Stayers' Series Qualifier)
Flat Polytrack, Handicap Class 2
Runners 9
Distance 2 miles
Going Standard to slow
1st place £23,193
Our selections for the race
To win Kamboo (7/4)
Won here as a 2 year old, Had a high class year running in the Derby then a hot Royal Ascot handicap. Then he was ran down in grade and won when justifying favouritism at Newcastle in August. Took big defeats in major 1m4f handicaps on final 2 starts of last year, been gelded and had wind surgery and reappears here over 2 miles for the first time and after his style of win at Newcastle it wont be a problem.
Each-way Alrazeen (8/1)
Disappointed 5 weeks ago which dented his good record on both All weather surfaces and at 2 miles. won his last 3 starts before that and all under today's rider Luke Morris and he won his last of the 3 very comfortably. Worth another go here if bouncing back.
14:40 Virgin Bet Every Saturday Money Back Rosebery Handicap (London Middle Distance Series Qualifier)
Flat Polytrack, Handicap Class 2
Runners 14
Distance 1 mile 3 furlongs
Going Standard To Slow
1st place £51,540
Our selections for the race
To win Balmacara (11/2)
Free going sort who will go from the front. Unraced beyond 1m2f and unraced on all weather but his dam won over 1m5f on polytrack and also her previous foal won 2 over 1m4f on all weather. Mid division in the Cambridgeshire on final start last year. Should have more to offer this year.
Each-way Forceful Speed (16/1)
Regular winner over the span of 3 seasons for George Boughey, won a good race at Pontefract (1m4f) and a good second on tapeta (1m2f). Unraced on polytrack and hood now joins his regular tongue-tie, changed yard but with the same owners and will be competitive if returns in same form.
15:15 Virgin Bet Snowdrop Fillies' Stakes
Flat Polytrack, Listed Class 1
Runners 10
Distance 1 mile
Going Standard to slow
1st place £31,191
Our selections for the race
To win Soprano (5/6)
Was excellent in 2024 including winning the Sandringham at Royal Ascot and Group 3 at Deauville both over 1 mile. Down the field when she had a tilt at the Breeders' Cup when last seen in November. She is the best on ratings and is definitely the one to beat.
Each-way Rubies From Burma (9/1)
Improved a lot on her last 3 starts last season, made all in Cork Maiden by a wide margin (runner-up won next time out) Bred to be very smart (Out of a half-sister to Derby winner Anthony Van Dyck) Very interesting contender upped in Grade.
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