Lincoln day at Doncaster first day of the Turf Season 2018 best bets
Saturday is Lincoln day at Doncaster and the first day proper of the Turf Season 2018 and I unashamedly love it! Only a few days ago there was a chance Doncaster would be whiter than white covered in snow with no chance of racing but I am happy to say Town Moor is reportedly fine, albeit soft ground, and ready to raise the curtain on the Flat turf season. I have talked before about how I am no fan of the Stobart-backed jockeys' championship not starting until 5th May at the Guineas meeting at HQ so won't get bogged down in that again here.
So to the bets. They get underway at 1.50 with the Listed Unibet Cammidge Trophy Stakes over 6 furlongs. The early pace is likely to be seen from those drawn high and this should go to Lancelot Du Lac The 8yo won at Wolverhampton two weeks ago showing his wellbeing and these conditions suit just as well as the all-weather. Last year's Stewards' Cup winner - on soft ground - has twice placed-up over C&D in the past and is fancied at around 3-1 to kick-off the Turf season with a winner.
The Listed Unibet Doncaster Mile Stakes at 3.00 looks to be between Zabeel Prince and Tabarrak with the slight preference for the Roger Varian 5yo who has the form on the soft has won after a break and is surely open to improvement having had just 5 starts to date. Connections opted to come here rather than go for the Lincoln where he was well-fancied ante-post by a few and I grabbed 13-8 overnight.
As for the 32Red Lincoln as is usual a number line-up with hopes. It has to be said that William Haggas knows what it takes to win the Lincoln having saddled three winners and I keep coming back to his chestnut gelding Addeybb. The 4yo had a good debut season winning three times and looks the type to have plenty more to offer in his second season on the track (did not run at two). He ended last season winning the Silver Cambridgeshire at Newmarket when having Fire Brigade, who reopposes, behind in third and reportedly has been considered for this contest since that win. Underfoot conditions should be of no concern and I took the 6-1 early.
The flat is back! Be lucky
So to the bets. They get underway at 1.50 with the Listed Unibet Cammidge Trophy Stakes over 6 furlongs. The early pace is likely to be seen from those drawn high and this should go to Lancelot Du Lac The 8yo won at Wolverhampton two weeks ago showing his wellbeing and these conditions suit just as well as the all-weather. Last year's Stewards' Cup winner - on soft ground - has twice placed-up over C&D in the past and is fancied at around 3-1 to kick-off the Turf season with a winner.
The Listed Unibet Doncaster Mile Stakes at 3.00 looks to be between Zabeel Prince and Tabarrak with the slight preference for the Roger Varian 5yo who has the form on the soft has won after a break and is surely open to improvement having had just 5 starts to date. Connections opted to come here rather than go for the Lincoln where he was well-fancied ante-post by a few and I grabbed 13-8 overnight.
As for the 32Red Lincoln as is usual a number line-up with hopes. It has to be said that William Haggas knows what it takes to win the Lincoln having saddled three winners and I keep coming back to his chestnut gelding Addeybb. The 4yo had a good debut season winning three times and looks the type to have plenty more to offer in his second season on the track (did not run at two). He ended last season winning the Silver Cambridgeshire at Newmarket when having Fire Brigade, who reopposes, behind in third and reportedly has been considered for this contest since that win. Underfoot conditions should be of no concern and I took the 6-1 early.
The flat is back! Be lucky