Hi all,

Just in case anyone was wondering there wasn’t a Thursday column. In truth there wasn’t much to write about and as I will be doing a Sunday column it wasn’t difficult to swerve it.

Inside today’s main piece, I’m looking ahead to the start of the flat season at Doncaster this weekend. Plus, I have taken a look at couple of races this afternoon at Wexford and Wetherby.

The new turf flat season just creeps up on you these days. When the sport had more confidence there used to be slow but gradual build up from the turn of the year. Those days have long gone sadly.

Who now talks about the ‘ Spring Double'? Back in the day the racing chatter was about the upcoming Lincoln Handicap and the Grand National. It remains my contention that the Lincoln, as a race, would benefit from a renewed link with the Grand National.

The ante post market for the Lincoln used to be vibrant. Now it pretty much doesn’t exist until a few days before the race. Today’ racing fans just see it as another decent Saturday handicap and nothing more.

The ‘buzz factor’ about the race and the start of a new season just isn’t there anymore. The genuine knots in the stomach you used to get about the start of the flat have disappeared.

A sport in crisis

The Derby the jewel in the crown of British flat racing can’t find a blue chip sponsor. 

The Queen the sport’s most important patron has gone. The new King just doesn’t love the sport like his mother did. Let’s just see how many days King Charles spends at Royal Ascot this year for prove of that.

If you think Charles has little interest in the ‘sport of kings’. Just wait until Prince William takes his place on the throne. I put his interest in horse racing at close to zero.

Affordability checks, this weeks news of the big online casinos, bookmakers, exploiting vulnerable punters means the new flat season start under a cloud of toxicity.

Even worse we have sport losing its appeal within its own fanbase and unable to find a new generation of enthusiasts. That’s not a sport destined to be here in 50-years.

The NH season was saved by a fantastic Cheltenham Festival. The 2023 flat season needs something big, something that can bring back some positivity to the sport – A Triple Crown winner would be nice.  Even that won’t be enough, but it would help slow down the sports inevitable demise in Britain.

Doncaster’s Lincoln Meeting

Doncaster’s two day Lincoln meeting begins on Saturday and concludes with a Sunday card. On the Saturday Doncaster has the stage to itself. However, on Sunday its play second fiddle to the action across the Irish Sea at Leopardstown. There are 1,000 & 2,000 Guineas Trials on the card and wait for it a Derby Trial the Ballysax Stakes (3.45).

The 1,000 Guineas Trial (3.10) was won 12 months ago by Homeless Songs, who went on to success in the Irish 1,000 Guineas. The 2,000 Guineas Trial (2.35) was won by Poetic Flare in 2021 and that colt followed up a month later in the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket.

Downpatrick hosts its biggest race of the year on Sunday – The Randox Ulster National (4:00).  Ok, there are better National’s out there but given the idiosyncratic track it can be relied on to produce quite a spectacle.

Saturday’s declarations

The final declarations for Saturday’s Lincoln card came out on Thursday. All bar two of my Lincoln shortlisted horses stood their ground for Saturday’s race. Isla Kai & Arthur’s Realm failed to get into big one but are among 22 entries for the consolation race the Pertemps Network Spring Mile Handicap (2:25).

The large field for the consolation race contrasts with 12 months ago when just nine were declared for the race which was won by Arthur’s Realm.

John Quinn has booked useful 5lb apprentice Taylor Fisher for my Lincoln ante post tip Empirestateofmind which isn’t a negative in my eyes. It’s a race with a handful of progressive contenders who could be ahead of their mark. So that 5lb could make all the difference in what looks a tight handicap. My confidence level of a big performance have gone up a notch.

The first two year-old race of the season the Pertemps Network EBF Brocklesby Stakes (1:50) has 18 declared runners. Whilst the Listed Pertemps Network Cammidge Trophy Stakes (3:00) has attracted 12 runners.

The field sizes for Saturday have held up well despite the forecast soft, heavy in places going at Doncaster.

There’s a bit more rain forecast for Doncaster between now and Saturday, so the ground won’t be better than soft. The going looks sure to be testing and stamina will be at a premium. The reports of a lack of grass growth could see the track resemble more a ploughed field than racecourse.

Lincoln Meeting Trainer Stats

Below are the best performing trainers with two or more winners.

Richard Hannon clearly has his horses ready for the Lincoln meeting and has been the winning most trainer since 2019.  However, it may pay to keep on an eye any entries from the James Tate and George Scott yards.

James Tate is also 3-6 with his runners in the past 14-days so has his horses in winning form coming into the meeting which is another positive.

Friday Racing

On the eve of the start of the new turf flat season Wetherby and Wexford provide today’s turf action. In addition, there are four all -weather fixtures at Dundalk, Southwell, Newcastle and Lingfield.

Wexford

The most valuable race on Friday is the Tack Stud Veterans Handicap Chase (6:10) at Wexford. R'evelyn Pleasure can race of the mark as when winning this race 12 months ago. However, he hasn’t been near to his best on his last three starts since taking a heavy at the last at Limerick at Christmas. The first blinkers replace the regular cheekpieces today which make the 11-year-old of interest to me.

The big unknown is how much ability Impact Factor retains. The 11-year-old returns from 853-day break on first start for Henry De Bromhead. However, he’s on the same mark as for his last success back in November 2020 and looks well weighted if he’s ready to roll after his long absence. If he has retained most of his old ability, then he’ll take the beating albeit his stamina, should stay, for 2m 4f has to be taken on trust.

Wetherby

The best race of the day this side of the Irish Sea is the Join Racing TV Now Handicap Hurdle (3:25) at Wetherby. Ten handicap hurdlers have been declared for this Class 3 contest and I can make a good case for five of them.

Dare To Shout has won his last two start over hurdles. Granted he’ll need to progress again to win off a mark of 126 but he’s open to further improvement on handicap debut.

Hardy Du Seuil, a good winner at Sandown two starts back, put in a lacklustre performance when 7^th of 16 in the Imperial Cup back at that venue last time. Yard among the winners and if the first time headgear has the desired effect would go close.

Fransham, a five time winner at Wetherby (4-8 +12, 6 placed over C&D). The 9-year-old who was only beaten a neck over C&D on his seasonal return hasn’t been close to that form on his last three starts. However, he’s dropped down to a good mark if freshened up by a 76-day absence.

Albert’s Back is another with a good course record (three wins) and his form figures over C&D are 11132. He was beaten just a neck into second on his seasonal reappearance here and return to this venue needs to revive the 9-year-old.

Front View returned from a near two year absence with an eyecatching 7 ½ length 7th of 15 to Hacker des Places at Cheltenham in January. However, he didn’t build on that promise 18-days later when last of 8 over C&D. A combination of good ground and quick race could have found out him out that day. I can see him doing much better today and he's the pick.

Friday Selection:

Wetherby

3:25 – Front View – 15/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes.

Good luck with your Friday bets.

John