Alan Thomson, the former Racing Editor at the Daily Record, puts up five tips at Doncaster and Kempton on Saturday. View selections below.
MIDNIGHT GUN (3.35) ticks the right boxes to merit a wager in the William Hill Lincoln at Doncaster.
Beaten a length by useful Harper’s Ferry when last seen running over course and distance on soft ground last October, Midnight Gun was a winner at Newmarket (good) in midsummer, suggesting the grey is right at home performing over a straight mile.
He can defy a 5lb rise, possibly at the expense of Thunder Gun, and can further boost the solid record of four-year-olds.
Karl Burke has several fancied runners on the card and Thunder Run has been to the fore of the Lincoln ante-post market for several weeks.
William Haggas has won the this first leg of the Spring double with High Low (1992), Very Wise (2007), Penitent (2010) and Addeybb (2018), so Godwinson can hardly be ignored.
The last Irish winner was Saving Mercy in 1984, so the stats are loaded against Tony Martin’s Orandi, winner of the 27-runner Irish Lincoln at the Curragh 15 days ago.
At bigger odds Magnum Opus, a course and distance fifth in Class 2 company at the St Leger fixture last September, can go well.
Any significant draw bias may be exposed in the earlier 22-runner Spring Mile so keep those eyes peeled.
MARSHMAN (2.25) bids to go one better than last year in the 6f William Hill Cammidge Trophy.
The Burke-trained sprinter was denied narrowly by Montassib on that occasion and Marshman has been in terrific form this winter, winning at Newcastle and Lingfield before going down in a tight finish at Southwell last month.
His trainer sets a poser as he has elected to also run useful Spycatcher, the mount of James Doyle, and a market watched is recommended.
Burke also boasts leading claims in the William Hill Doncaster Mile Stakes, with LIBERTY LANE (3.00) expected to go close.
My selection won over course and distance in 2023 and was twice successful at Newmarket last season.
Botanical runs in the same ownership and Billy Loughnane’s mount has had a wind op since losing out on the nod at Goodwood last September.
The concluding 1m 2f apprentices’ handicap has been split and ANNEXATION (4.45) should be primed to go close on this return to grass.
The gelding, a winner in Ireland for Henry de Bromhead, has been brought along steadily on the all-weather by new handler Tony Carroll and has slipped to an enticing mark. With 19 runners declared some firms are going five places each-way, so shop around.
There is a tough middle-distance handicap to unravel on an interesting all-weather card at Kempton and KILLYBEGS WARRIOR (2.40) could run well at a big price in the Virgin Bet Rosebery Handicap.
His trainer, George Baker, saddled the 25-1 winner of this race 12 months ago when Killybegs Warrior finished runner-up. His charge arrives fit from wintering in Bahrain and with most firms offering five places ew, the five-year-old is worth an interest.
Balmacara came to hand early last campaign, mopping up his first two starts, and catches the eye along with previous course and distance scorer Mount Atlas.
Tally Ho
Alan
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NB. All odds shown are correct at time of publishing and are subject to change.
