Alan Thomson, the former Racing Editor at the Daily Record, picks 5 to follow on Saturday at Doncaster, including the William Hill Lincoln.
John Quinn posted notice at Catterick on Wednesday that he has his string well forward for the new Flat turf season and he can be on the scoresheet at the William Hill-sponsored Doncaster Lincoln meeting on Saturday.
VEILED APPLAUSE (4.50) runs in the first division of the 1m 2f handicap when he attempts to improve on last year’s third place in the corresponding event. Talented apprentice Ian Brennan is back in the saddle but Quinn has booked champion jockey Paul Hanagan for the ride on top weight BONFIRE KNIGHT (5.20) in the second division. Bonfire Night was most consistent last summer, building on a fine, but distant, second to the useful Rebel Soldier at York. Quinn has a third string to his bow with ZAPLAMATION (5.55) in the apprentices’ event and this horse proved he comes to hand early by posting victories at Musselburgh and Beverley last April.
The William Hill Lincoln is the usual minefield for punters but LOWTHER (3.10) has looked on good terms with himself when scoring on his last two starts at Wolverhampton. Clearly, he will strip fit and well and, hopefully, Doncaster won’t water overnight as Lowther’s best turf form has come on decent ground. Tom Queally is an interesting booking by Dandy Nicholls for Light From Mars, while John Gosden has declared an eyeshield for Doctor Crane, who may be well handicapped after a long absence.
Barry Hills has a long-standing love affair with the Lincoln fixture and his three-year-old maidens are always worth a second glance. CANNA (4.15), a son of High Chaparral, will surely benefit from his one run in a backend maiden at Newmarket when fourth in a big field.
Tally Ho
Alan
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