Morning all,

I love this time of the year as it’s the period when we start to refamiliarize ourselves with the flat performers. Granted, there’s still the Aintree Grand National, the Scottish Grand National, the Irish Grand National and the Punchestown festival to look forward but a long summer of flat racing is about to hit top gear. My reset switch to the flat has been flicked and, after Doncaster, it’s all systems go for me. After all, a few days after the Grand National it will be Newmarket’s Craven Meeting and with it the first classic trials.

Flat fans got in the mood in summer with the start of the flat seasons in both Britain & Ireland on Saturday. There was also the bonus of World Cup Night at Meydan.

Inside today’s main piece find out the key details and my analysis of Saturday’s action. Plus, there’s a Monday selection from Newcastle.

Japan dominates World Cup Night

The Japanese totally dominated World Cup Night at Meydan with five winners although Panthalassa had to share the spoils with Lord North in the Group 1 Dubai Turf. Another Japanese trained runner Vin De Garde was only a nose back in third. It was as you will get to a three-way dead heat.

Franke Dettori didn’t have to share the spoils in Dubai World Cup as his mount Country Grammer held off Hot Rod Charlie to land the £5 million plus first prize for Bob Baffert with the odds-on favourite Life Is Good back in fourth.

The race turned into a bit of a slog as the front running favourite Life Is Good found is stamina giving way inside the final furlong. The dirt track had really slowed up by the time the race was run and those who doubts about the favourite’s stamina for 1m 2f were right.

The sun shines for the start of the flat

Doncaster was bathed in warm sunshine for the start of the new flat season. Mind you the recent dry and warm weather looks set to end this week. Just in time for the Ayr’s Scottish National Meeting which gets underway on Friday.

Doncaster’s Lincoln Meeting got underway with the first 2-year-old race of the new season: the Brocklesby Stakes. The race was won by the Richard Hannon trained Persian Force who looked a smart early season juvenile prospect. Last year’s Brocklesby was won by Chipotle who went on to win at Royal Ascot and it’s likely that Persian Force can be competitive at this year’s Royal Meeting. Not sure what he beat in his 4 ½ length success but it was visually impressive and he looks an above average winner of the Brocklesby.

Sadly, there were small fields for both the Spring Mile (Lincoln Consolation) and the Listed Doncaster Mile. Just nine for the former and four for the latter. A sign of things to come? With plenty of economic shocks likely in the coming months and the recent year-on-year decline in the number of foals both sides of the Atlantic. I fear it is.

Could the Lincoln consolation race be heading the way of the dodo and the Silver Cambridgeshire & Silver Bunbury?

Johan lands Lincoln

All twenty-two declared runners ran in the first big handicap of the new flat season. The first two home Johan and Saleymm were always front rank in race where none got involved from behind. You can mark up the effort of the third home Rogue Bear who finished 1 ¾ lengths behind the winner. He was the only horse to make ground from the rear from his high draw and slow start.

The winner was having his first start for Mick Channon after a switch from William Haggas yard. The stable switch clearly had the desired effect. Haggas had two of the many big disappointment’s of the race: Mujtaba (3/1 fav) could only finish 12^th and may need much softer ground than he got on Saturday. The well backed Ametist (6/1) finished last of the 22 but he was found to have bled which probably explains his lifeless performance. Meanwhile the Charlie Appleby trained Modern News (5/1) could never get into the race from his midfield position and finished 7^th. The same fate befell last year’s runner-up Brunch who was a 3 ½ length 8^th.

Mother Earth makes winning return

The Curragh got the Irish Flat season underway on Saturday. English 1000 Guineas winner Mother Earth made a winning seasonal reappearance in the first Group race of the new season. The 4-year-old won as could have been expected given she was 7lb clear over her rivals on official ratings. It was a workmanlike success but given she wouldn’t have been fully tuned up it was a good performance. Newbury’s Group 1 Lockinge Stakes looks set to be the filly’s next start and she will be much sharper with this race under her belt.

The first big handicap of the Irish flat season the Lincolnshire was won by the Johnny Murtagh trained Raadobarg. The winner was having his first start (in the same ownership) since switching from the Roger Varian yard. Well backed before the race and always travelling well In the rear. He had to be switched right 1f out but once in the clear he showed a good change of gear to win by a comfortable looking 2 lengths. In victory he proved to be too be well handicapped for his 25 rivals. Given plenty of juice in the ground the colt can be competitive in Group company this season.

Monday Racing

Hexham and Ludlow provide the afternoon action and there’s an evening all-weather card at Newcastle. Drying ground means the Ludlow card has seen just 33 runners declared for its seven-race card.  Not the easiest of days for strong fancies in truth with Newcastle providing what looks the best of the action.

Newcastle

6:30 – Phoenix Star’s form figures over C&D are 2122. He’s often races in the rear so tends to be hostage to fortune pace wise. However, if he gets a decent enough gallop and is ready roll after a short break the 6-year-old can go close.

7:30 – I Know How is 5-15 over C&D, including a win here 12 -days ago. Nudged up 4lb for that success but given his present form another big run can be expected.

8:00 – Lucky Lucky Lucky put in a career best effort here over 5f when last seen in action 146-days ago. Given the 3-year-old’s absence his fitness must be take on trust. However, he’s only 1lb higher than last time and he shaped that day like a return to 6f would suit.

Monday Selection:

Newcastle

6:30 – Phoenix Star – 4/1 @Bet365.

Good luck with your Monday bets.

John