THE first big flat race of the season, that got underway at Catterick earlier in the week, is the William Hill Lincoln Handicap at Doncaster on Saturday.

Sometimes called a bookmakers’ bonanza a maximum of 22 runners go to post, while making the race even more difficult to solve is the draw, which always makes a big difference to the outcome.

Tagleed, trained by former Manton incumbent John Gosden, has attracted plenty of ante post money and is expected to start a hot favourite, ridden by Richard Hills.

Collingbourne trainer Richard Hannon has Fremont, due to be ridden by Ryan Moore, entered, the four year old also expected to have plenty of followers.

Trainer Richard Fahey has a possible six runners in a contest he is keen to add to his cv.

Three of his most fancied – Prime Exhibit , Brae Hill and Our Joe Mac – have plenty of support but champion jockey Paul Hanagan, who will be having the pick of the rides, is likely to partner Irish Heartbeat, winner of the Spring Mile at the meeting a year ago.

The column’s tentative each way selection is the Fahey-trained Our Joe Mac, who ran poorly in a warm-up at The Curragh but is reported to be beating all others on the home gallops.

The meeting also heralds the two year old Brocklesby Conditions Stakes where the each way selection is the Bill Turner-trained He’s So Cool, who has already had a run on the all-weather.

The west country trainer is noted for his early-season youngsters and has won the race three times in the last 10 years.

Opening the meeting is the William Hill Spring Mile, where each way interest on Mata Keranjang, trained by Paul Cole and ridden by Jamie Spencer, could provide a profit.

Lambourn trainer Barry Hills attracts plenty of followers early in the season and his charge Canna could run well in the Bob Beevers Memorial Maiden Stakes while Hong Kong Island could be a popular choice in the Apprentice Handicap.

All-weather fans are catered for at Kempton where the Listed Magnolia Stakes could be won by Cumulus Nimbus, the mount of Jimmy Fortune, riding for the Hannon yard.

The Rosebery Handicap could go to the Jeremey Noseda-trained Plymouth Rock, the mount of Darryll Holland, while in the Listed William Hill Snowdrop Fillies Stakes, Fun Affair, trained by Gosden and ridden by William Buick, could be worth interest.

In the Queen’s Prize, run over two miles, Donald McCain would look to have a good chance with Emrani.

Chepstow and Uttoxeter are other scheduled jump meetings, with Great Gusto a chance in the former’s final race and Harry Tricker a popular choice at Uttoxeter.

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