The Flat is well and truly back! The Lincoln Handicap tops the domestic billing as the turf season gets underway on the level, before Forever Young goes for Dubai World Cup glory.
3.32 Doncaster – La Botte headlines 22-strong Lincoln field
The William Hill Lincoln headlines Saturday’s curtain-raising card on the Town Moor, with 22 runners eyeing the £77,310 prize.
Hary Eustace’s La Botte has caught the eye on his last two outings, firstly when runner-up in the Britannia in June and again on his return in the Lincoln Trial at Wolverhampton. A never nearer fourth saw him well-backed and he has obvious claims off the same mark.
Eternal Force represents five-time winner William Haggas with Cieren Fallon in the saddle. The pair combined to land this prize with Godwinson last year and this horse seeks a four-timer as he heads up in class.
A host of challengers have each-way chances including Karl Burke’s Botanical and Jack Channon’s Urban Lion, while Rogue Diplomat must defy another 3lbs rise as he bids for a fifth straight success.
4.45 Meydan – Forever Young chases Dubai World Cup glory
Japanese supremo Forever Young looks set to go off a heavy favourite for the 2026 renewal of the Dubai World Cup, having added the Saudi Cup to his CV last time out. Yoshito Yahagi’s star, who has earnt a huge £22,969,220 in prize money throughout his career, returns to the 10-furlong trip he ran when landing the Breeders’ Cup Classic last autumn. As expected, Ryusei Sakai retains the ride.
Forever Young won the Saudi Cup at the expense of Romantic Warrior (Cal Sport Media via AP Images)
There’s plenty of British interest in the field, with the Crisford-trained Meydaan in situ after his Al Maktoum Classic victory. James Doyle rides Tumbarumba in the Wathnan silks while the Osborne team will be looking to get back on track with Heart Of Honor – who would enter each-way calculations if returning to his previous form.
Last year’s winner Hit Show is back to defend his title, while Magnitude is also of interest having finished inside the first three on all of his last six starts.
2.57 Doncaster – Group 1 winners Docklands and Qirat lock horns
A classy quintet has assembled for this Listed William Hill Doncaster Mile with Docklands and Qirat locking horns at 2.57pm.
Queen Anne winner Docklands skipped Dubai to head here as he prepares for a trip to Hong Kong next month. Harry Eustace’s charge was last seen finishing a solid fourth in the Group 1 Hong Kong Mile in December and looks the one to beat providing fitness is not an issue.
Docklands returns to action at Doncaster today
Qirat, a shock 150-1 winner of the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood when deployed as a pacemaker last summer, has failed to live up to those lofty heights since. However, he has a good record fresh and rates a huge danger if able to dominate under Colin Keane.
Volterra is a solid performer at this level and even beat Qirat in the Challenge Cup back in 2024. He has a bit to find on ratings but is worth his place in the line-up.
Treble Tee and Excellent Believe complete the field.
1.50 Doncaster – Last year’s hero Spycatcher headlines
A typically open-looking renewal of the Listed William Hill Price Boosts Every Day Cammidge Trophy Stakes sees last year’s winner Spycatcher headline 12 runners.
The Karl Burke-trained eight-year-old has racked up nine career successes and showed he retains all his ability when winning his final two starts of last season. He is sure to go well over a course and distance he relishes.
Montassib took this prize in 2024 before landing the Group 1 Sprint Cup at Haydock. He has failed to match that form since but wasn’t beaten far behind Spycatcher in the Wentworth Stakes in November and can give a good account of himself.
James’s Delight would appreciate a drop of rain, while My Mate Alfie is an interesting runner on debut for David O’Meara.
Best of the rest
Amo Racing are set to field the intriguing duo of Blixen Force and Ocean Club in Doncaster’s opening William Hill Bill Turner Memorial EBF Brocklesby Stakes at 1.20pm before Sterling Knight, Carron and Desperate Dan fight it out in the 2.25pm William Hill Epic Boosts Spring Mile Handicap. In the 4.05pm William Hill Best Odds Guaranteed Maiden Stakes, William Haggas hands a first start to Super Crown – a 950,000gns purchase as a yearling who is a half-brother to Ottery.
Over at Meydan, Lazzat and Khaadem go for Group 1 glory in the Al Quoz Sprint at 2.20pm before Ombudsman tops a quality field for the Dubai Turf at 3.35pm.
Afterwards, the world’s best horse Calandagan makes his first start since landing the Japan Cup in November when he takes on Willie Mullins’ Breeders’ Cup hero Ethical Diamond in a mouthwatering Dubai Sheema Classic at 4.10pm.
