William Hill ambassador Nick Luck previews William Hill Lincoln Day from Doncaster.
William Hill are Best Odds Guaranteed from 8am daily across all UK and Irish racing.
Saturday, Doncaster
THE BOREHAM BULLET might be worth a small play in the Brocklesby, the traditional two year old seasonal curtain raiser at Doncaster (1.15). There are loads with obvious credentials on paper here, with Norman’s Cay perhaps the most striking. The selection is drawn right next to him, and is from a stable that is without equal in this race. His pedigree says he should be precocious enough to make an impression, and Billy Loughnane would have had a decent few to chose from.
PROMETHEAN could be way ahead of his mark in the Spring Mile (1.50). He has some fair early form in France, but was desperately unlucky not to win two decent prizes off or around this mark last year. Gelded since, with a headgear change, and a jockey who has ridden over 90 winners still able to claim, he could take a bit of stopping.
MARSHMAN is the answer to the Cammidge (2.25). He has had his issues, but he’s looked right back on point since his breathing op, and comes into the race with more compelling credentials than when a close second last year to a subsequent Group One winner. A flat six furlongs should be just fine.
BOTANICAL is the horse who could be a good bit better in due course in the Doncaster Mile (3.00). Although not young, he’s low-mileage, and looked to improve again on his stable debut last autumn. This is his trip and there should be enough moisture in the ground to suit. He’s had a breathing operation, and the yard should know more about him now.
GODWINSON is the each way pick in the Lincoln. (3.35). He ran a screamer in the Spring Cup at Newbury last year for one so inexperienced, and was a bit unfortunate thereafter: he ran perfectly well on the wrong side of the track in the Cambridgeshire, while he was lit up in cheekpieces at Ascot. With pieces off, and back at a mile, he should be capable of a bold performance with conditions to suit.
Saturday, Kempton
GOLDEN RULES is surely worth a chance in the Queen’s Prize at Kempton (2.05). He bolted up here two years ago before going down narrowly in the Northumberland Plate. His absence means the handicapper has given him a right chance, but he’s won off a long break before, and this opposition will offer him few sleepless nights.
CALUMET gets the nod in the Roseberry (2.40). He carries his head at a jaunty angle, and hasn’t looked completely straightforward, but he’s only run four times – including twice here – and looks as though he can do a bit better off this mark. A slight nudge up in trip won’t hurt looking at the bottom line of his pedigree. Interesting.
ROMANOVA is a massive price in the Snowdrop, but will be getting small money from me each way (3.15). She clearly needed some finesse – hooded since her two-year-old debut – but she was wildly impressive thrashing a good horse at Salisbury before thought good enough to be sent off second fav for the May Hill. She sank that day, and presumably a problem emerged, but she showed loads of promise on her comeback after a year off. Although she has it all to find on ratings, she is a stakes filly on raw ability, and can sneak into the argument late if she comes forward for that.
Saturday, Gulfstream Park
There are two key Kentucky Derby trials on Saturday. At Gulfstream Park, TAPPAN STREET can improve past Sovereignty to win the Florida Derby (10.42). He made his move too briskly in a horrible part of the race in the Holy Bull, and was just undone for experience. He comes here fresher than the favourite, who is without his intended rider.
Saturday, Oaklawn Park
Meanwhile, at Oaklawn Park, local blue collar hero COAL BATTLE can sink another Armada in the Arkansas Derby. There are relatively few confirmed pace horses here, and the selection can be ridden forward with impunity, as he’s sure to stay well at this distance.
