Templegate’s Lincoln tip and complete runner-by-runner guide to blockbuster Doncaster handicap
TEMPLEGATE takes on Saturday’s presitigious Lincoln handicap at Doncaster.
The 22-runner contest at 3.35pm heralds the real start of the Flat season.
PA:Press AssociationThe Lincoln is the first big handicap race of the season on the Flat[/caption]
Here, he goes through every runner, gives them a rating out of five and reveals his tip at the bottom.
You can back any horse you fancy simply by clicking their odds below.
Lincoln runner-by-runner guide
MIGRATION 2
RATION booked. Smart handicap form over further but went close in the Newbury Spring Cup over this trip and handles a big field. Likes give in the ground but still 4lb above last win.
AWAAL 4
UP the Waal. Ended last season with a cosy handicap win at Redcar over this trip when soft suited. Up 9lb but just four runs and can improve plenty this season.
WITCH HUNTER 2
WITCH sunk. Both wins on AW over shorter trips. Second in a Listed race at York was his best turf run but he’s failed to match that since.
GREATGADIAN 2
NOT Great. Fair form at lower levels, especially on AW where he won twice last season. Fair run at Chelmsford last time so should be fit but needs more.
ATRIUM 3
ATRIUM on rise. Progressed last season, ending with battling win over C&D on softish ground. A 4lb rise is fair and capable of improvement.
BOARDMAN 2
NO Man. Has a good early-season record, especially at Chester with a couple of hot handicaps. He will improve for his comeback but best has come on quick ground.
SAFE VOYAGE 4
PLAY Safe. Group 2 winner but didn’t score last season despite decent big-field form. Likes this trip and ground and on a fair weight. Could sneak a place at long odds.
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EMPIRESTATEOFMIND 3
MIND out. Consistent in lower grades over this trip and soft suits. Went close in a hot handicap on last run here. Climbing the weights but can’t be dismissed.
MONTASSIB 3
MON the money. Lightly-raced and improved last season with a Buckingham Palace fifth at Royal Ascot and fourth in Bunbury Cup. Likes this trip and has more to offer. On the shortlist.
BARADAR 5
BAR open. Moved from Johnny Murtagh to George Boughey and won on only run for him over 7f here in November. He relished the testing ground so conditions should be ideal and he’s on a nice weight.
BOPEDRO 4
BO can go. Often runs well but hasn’t won since 2021. Good second here in October over 7f and is 1lb higher. This is a hotter contest so he’ll need a step forward.
AL MUBHIR 4
AL a pal. Signed off last season with a soft ground win at Haydock over this trip. Travelled like a quality colt on just his sixth start and can improve for William Haggas. Major player.
CROUPIER 2
END of Pier. Decent form at lesser levels and a bit in hand when scoring on AW last time. Trip suits but big hike in class.
JIMI HENDRIX 3
JIMI thrill. Good third in the Britannia at Royal Ascot and scored at Newmarket before his form dipped. He won his maiden here, this trip suits and his handicap mark looks fair.
WANEES 4
WAN to consider. Ran well at Royal Ascot before not staying 1m2f at Goodwood. Ended season with a good Haydock win over this trip and has more to offer as a four-year-old.
EILEAN DUBH 2
DUBH not. Landed a couple of good wins at York last season over this trip and needed his comeback run at Wolver. On a fair weight but quicker ground would be ideal.
TOSHIZOU 2
TOSH bosh. Lightly raced but hasn’t scored since winning a Tipperary maiden in 2020. Has left Joseph O’Brien for canny Roger Fell. He’s on a fair mark.
ENCOURAGEABLE 2
NOT Able. Some promise last year with a Thirsk handicap win over this trip on soft. Not so good in a hotter race at Haydock after that so needs to improve.
REVICH 2
LOW Revs. Has had his moments in good handicaps but is getting on a bit. Best over this trip but has not won off this high a handicap mark.
HELM ROCK 2
ROCK crumbly. Pick of form has come over this trip, including winning a Haydock handicap. Some cut suits but this is a sharp step up in quality.
MAJESTIC 4
TIC the boxes. Progressed last season and won the Cambridgeshire at Newmarket in style. A 7lb rise isn’t excessive and he’ll handle the hustle and bustle. Won’t be far away.
YANIFER 2
FER enough. Did well in lesser grades last season, winning a couple of handicaps over 7f on soft. He will come on for his Wolver comeback. This looks a bit hot though.
Templegate’s Lincoln tip
BARADAR loves testing ground and landed a course win on debut for George Boughey in November.
He was third in the Group 1 Futurity Trophy here as a juvenile so clearly loves Town Moor. He looks ahead of his handicap mark.
Hot favourite Al Mubhir is a major player for William Haggas after winning in the mud at Haydock last time.
Awaal can improve too for the Crisfords on just his second handicap outing.
Safe Voyage looks a huge price and loves a big-field skirmish. He was last seen running a good fourth at Ascot and soft suits.
Bopedro and Majestic are others with a shout.
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