National Hunt racing grabbed the spotlight last week with four absorbing days of action at the Cheltenham Festival. With the Aintree Festival and its flagship event, the Grand National, fast approaching, jumps enthusiasts still have plenty to be jubilant about.
However, this weekend, it’s the flat scene that gets its moment in the glare. The annual cavalry charge that is The Lincoln Handicap, is due off at 15:35 this Saturday, at Doncaster.
Embed from Getty ImagesA Brief History of the Lincoln Handicap
The Lincoln Handicap wasn’t established in its current guise of an 8-furlong contest at Doncaster until 1965. It had been run at the now defunct Lincoln Racecourse previous to that, hence the name. A race known as the Lincolnshire Handicap, was first run at that track in 1849. Though back then it was raced in the summer over a longer distance. It was finally set as a spring event over the recognised one-mile trip in 1860.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Lincoln’s Saddle Stars
Aussie saddle legend, Scobie Breasley, would ride the first two winners (1965 & 1966) of The Lincoln, when it shifted to its current home of Doncaster. Amazingly, two of the greatest jockeys, Lester Piggott & Frankie Dettori, both failed to win the famous Handicap. Lester almost landed a monster gamble in 1970 aboard Prince De Galles, but New Chapter proved himself a party pooper for punters, beating him by a neck.
The not so well renowned, Charlie Maidment, tops the Lincoln riding honours, having won the race on four occasions in the 19th century when still being held in Lincoln. Since the start of this Millennium, Jimmy Fortune has been victorious three times. With Benoit de la Sayette, James Doyle, Tony Hamilton & Johnny Murtagh all notching a brace of wins.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Lincoln’s Heroic Handlers
Jack Robinson and William Haggas top The Lincoln trainers’ table with four wins apiece. Robinson’s four successes came over a 15-year period (1896-1910). Haggas’ victories would stretch over a longer 27-year period (1992-2018). The nearest the Newmarket handler has come to reaching a record 5th triumph, was Irish Admiral’s 4th place finish in the 2022 edition.
Sadly, he doesn’t have a runner this time around. Paul Cole (who now has a dual training licence with son, Oliver) could join the 4-time winners club this year. The 82-year-old Whatcombe handler sends out Thunder Ball, looking for his first win since Nimello in 2001.
The Lincoln – The Trends That Matter
Liberty Lane, Awaal & Chazzesmee are currently vying for favouritism for this year’s renewal. Though none would actively pursue that tag. With only one winning jolly (Auxerre – 2019) in the past twelve editions of The Lincoln. Nine of the last 12 victors have been 12/1 or bigger.
Twelve of the last 14 winners have carried between 8st 12lbs and 9st 4lbs. Migration would carry a hefty 9st 9lbs when triumphing last year. An impressive feat in heavy going. His winning time of 1min 47 seconds was 10 seconds slower than the 2022 winner Johan though, showing how tough the conditions were a year ago. Both the 2022 & 2023 victors go again this Saturday. Johan carries 9st 8lbs and Migration the heaviest of the field at 9st 13. Both are 4lbs heavier then when winning in their respective years. No horse has won The Lincoln twice since Babur in 1958, so none have done it ever since the race was moved to Doncaster. Another weight-related trend is that only three winners have carried less than 8st 10lbs since the turn of this Millennium. Ten of Saturday’s 22 runners carry 8st 9lbs or less.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Lincoln Handicap 2024 – Positive Picks
2023 Lincoln runner-up, Awaal, returns for another crack at glory. He looked to run out of puff in the final stages last year but enjoys it soft/heavy underhoof. The Town Moor course will probably be heading towards soft and away from heavy by Saturday, but there still should be some juice about. Simon & Ed Crisford’s 5-year-old carries 3lbs less than last year and could be in the mix again.
The Gatekeeper impressed in a couple of big handicaps on soft going during the second half of 2023, at Goodwood (2nd – Golden Mile) and Ascot (1st – Balmoral Handicap). He also gave a good performance when 5th in the Spring Mile, off 9st 10, over the same distance and on the same day as The Lincoln. He goes off 9st 2lbs this Saturday and is one that could make the frame.
The Doncaster crowd will roar Thunder Ball into the winners’ enclosure if he takes the Lincoln honours on Saturday and gives 82-year-old Paul Cole a fourth victory in the race. One mile seems to be his trip, with five previous runs at the distance resulting in the following form line: 12423. He could be on a decent weight here and could go on to bigger things after this.
The Lincoln Handicap (15:35) is the last of five Doncaster races shown live on ITV4 this Saturday. The whole Doncaster card is live on Sky Sports Racing. Keep up with today’s horse racing results via Racing Post.
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Image Credit: Deposit Photos