HORSES don’t win the Lincoln two years in a row – at least not very often.
Of course you are all yelling, “what about Babur in 1957-58”, as his name would be on the tip of every racing fan’s tongue. Not.
And before Babur there was Ob in 1906-7. Trust me, though, it doesn’t happen very often! Even if Ob did do the job.
That’s because the Lincoln is always competitive, so the chances are that Migration, trained by the excellent David Menuisier who himself migrated to these shores from France, has it all to do.
But I believe he might be on the verge of a slice of history as the Flat returns with a bang on juicy ground at Doncaster.
The William Hill Lincoln is the traditional curtain raiser to Britain’s Flat campaign and I’ll be there bringing you all the best interviews on Sky Sports Racing.
Lying in wait for Migration is Awaal, second last year and now 4lb better off win his nemesis. Liberty Lane is a course and distance winner in the mud from a stable going well, while Chazzesmee absolutely bolted up in the Irish equivalent just a few days ago.
Lattam is another mud-lover who is now in the care of Julie Camacho having been formerly trained by William Haggas. He won the 2023 Irish Lincoln. Then there is Johan, who took this prize in 2022 when rated 102. He’s 4lb higher now on 106.
This is a good Lincoln with lots of possibilities.
DONCASTER
1.20 Charyn
2.25 Titian each-way
3.00 Baradar, NAP
3.35 Migration each-way
BANGOR
1.30 Uncle Bert
NEWBURY
2.10 Into the Park
2.40 Heltenham
3.15 Smiling Getaway each-way
Migration, though, has some class about him and you can forget his run in the Gordon Richards Stakes as he has never been a fan of the Rowley Mile. He has won a decent handicap at York off 103, has been second in a Spring Mile at Newbury off 106, and eighth of a huge field in a Balmoral Handicap at Royal Ascot off 109.
This is a massive task under 9st 13lb, less Paddy Bradley’s 3lb. But Migration loves the mud and has a reasonable draw to tuck in behind the pack.
I have a lot of time for Menuisier. In a fascinating chat, he told me this: “After I gave him a break last season he came back and it was as if he was still in holiday mode. He just couldn’t really be bothered.
“That’s why this winter instead of turning him out I kept him in the yard in light work to try and freshen him up and lead the yearlings. Give him a second lease of life. He’s looking great – as good as he’s ever been. Whether he will perform on the day I can’t predict.”
Elsewhere on the Doncaster card, a quick shout out for the big sprint of the day in the Listed Cammidge Trophy. This once featured one of my favourite horses growing up in a grey called Vorvados.
Like the latter, BARADAR (3.00 Doncaster, NAP) is a mud lover and I’m all over him in this event even though he’s down in trip.
Last year he was third in the Lincoln and provided this column with a massive 16-1 success in the International at Ascot.
With his stamina guaranteed, I’m hoping David Egan will bang him out in front for his new retainer Amo Racing and they make all for George Boughey.
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