| Follow the money for the Lincoln
After the joys of Cheltenham comes the very different atmosphere which
surrounds the start of the Flat season with the Lincoln which is being
run at Newcastle on Saturday.
Irish horses don’t have a great record in the curtain-raiser to
the Flat season but have two serious chances in the race this year.
Last year’s Irish Lincoln winner Baawader, trained by Dermot Weld,
will be strongly fancied if he lines up in this race and punters should
be advised that his regular rider Shane Gorey is one of Ireland’s
best apprentice jockeys.
Tom Hogan rates his horse Kalderon very highly but he is very unlikely
to run.
The Lincoln is a race in which it is always advised to follow the money
and there has been a big gamble this week on David Arthbutnot’s
horse Tanzanite. A shrewd trainer he is determined to recruit a top jockey
for this horse who enters the race on a very nice weight. The only disadvantage
is that he has been competing in much-weaker races than this and if the
gamble continues he will not represent much value for punters.
More generally, horses which have been running on the all-weather throughout
the winter will have an advantage for the new Flat season as they will
be at their fittest. This compares favourably against horses who perhaps
have more ability but have not run for the last number of months.
Another horse worth taking a look at for this race is the David Barron-trained
Zero Tolerance. Jamie Spencer is the regular rider of this horse and since
Barron is known as a trainer who only employs the top riders he has a
serious chance of success here.
Barron’s horses are always fit at this time of the season and he
knows how to work the handicap system to his advantage so Zero Tolerance
is the selection of this column.
Another horse worth considering is Mark Thompkins’ St. Petersburg
who may be the best each-way bet in the race.
Horses to follow in the coming weeks are L’oudon trained by Paul
Nicholls, Jessica Harrington’s novice chaser Woodhouse and Colm
Murphy’s Cheeky Lady.
Happy Punting!
This week’s horses to watch…
Thursday 2pm Towcester:
TIP: Admiral Peary
This horse was extremely decent over hurdles before going too high in
the handicap. He looks just the type to make his mark over fences and
could be one to follow over the summer months.
Thursday 3pm Towcester:
TIP: Zimbabwe
Another horse who will be looking to regain his best form over the summer
months. Is probably not as good as he was in his youth but he is definitely
capable of winning this race
Thursday 3.30pm Towcester:
TIP: Black Collar
This horse has only middling form but could go on to claim a win here
as he is low in the weights and on his best form he has the beating of
the rest.
Friday 2.20pm Ascot:
TIP: Modicum
This horse has the best form in this interesting race and may make the
long trip down from NIcky Richards’ yard. If he goes in this race
then he may be the bet of the week.
Friday 2.55pm Ascot:
TIP: Woodhouse
Jessica Harrington’s horse is the bet of the week in this race if
it runs. Got off the mark as a chaser earlier in the year. Needs good
ground but the trainer won’t send him over on unsuitable going.
Friday 3.30pm Ascot:
TIP: ET Maintenant
This is one of the better novice hurdlers likely to be running this summer.
NIcky Henderson’s horse can get off the mark here. |
