Racing tips: Gosden ace to kick-start new era at Doncaster

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HAQEEQY (3.10) can reward punters prepared to take a fairly skinny price in the 22-runner Unibet Lincoln Handicap at Doncaster.

In what looks a strong renewal, we are probably searching for a horse possessing Listed class potential and Haqeeqy appeared progressive when overcoming a slow start to beat Cold Front here over seven furlongs last September.

The four-year-old, now trained under the new John Gosden and son Thady banner, also won at Yarmouth and Newmarket, so a straight track clearly suits. Gosden has placed his faith in teenage 7lb apprentice Benoit D L Sayette, formerly a top rider on the pony circuit, and stall ten is ideal.

Eastern World was well held in ninth behind Haqeeqy at Donny, but Charlie Appleby’s gelding scored by more than three lengths at Meydan last month and won’t lack fitness. Appleby has saddled two of the last four winners.

Brentford Hope hacked up under a motionless Jamie Spencer in the Haydock mud in October but, with little rain forecast, underfoot conditions are likely to be different on Town Moor.

Danyah is a course winner over seven furlongs but has a little bit to find with River Nymph on Newbury form last August. Drying ground will suit River Nymph and he has been well supported at big odds in the ante-post market.

Johan bids to give William Haggas a record fifth Lincoln scalp but the top weight faces a tough task.

TOP RANK (2.00) has it all to do conceding weight to all ten rivals in the Unibet Doncaster Mile but James Tate’s five-year-old made a big impression last season.

The imposing grey won five of his seven starts and wasn’t disgraced on his final outing in the Group 2 Shadwell Joel Stakes at Newmarket won by 2000 Guineas ace Kameko.

Father Of Jazz disappointed behind Forest of Dean and Felix in Lingfield’s Winter Derby four weeks ago but had previously looked progressive for Michael Bell.

Bounce The Blues receives the sex allowance and Andrew Balding’s filly, a dual winner in Ireland for John Feane, was a close second to Cloak Of Spirits at Newmarket in September.

In a cracking race, the likes of Montatham, Space Traveller and Juan Elcano also hold legitimate claims.

The Unibet Spring Mile, the ‘consolation’ Lincoln for horses that missed the cut, has a full complement of 22 runners. The result could throw up an important pointer to the effect of the draw in the ‘big one’ and DAWAALEEB (2.35), trading around 16-1, is worth an each-way interest from his middle berth.

Les Eyre’s gelding ran fourth in this race two years ago and is now 5lb lower. He has been in good form this winter at Newcastle, scoring twice on the straight course, and returns a fresh horse on the back of a nice 32-day break.

Dubai Souq has a lot on his plate under top weight but the market will give an indication of expectations. There has been good money all week for Hugo Palmer’s class-dropper Acquitted coming out of stall 19 up the stands’ side.

The Cammidge Trophy, a Listed event over six furlongs, provides popular BRANDO (3.45) with a gilt-edged opportunity.

This represents a significant drop in class for Kevin Ryan’s regular Group 1 sprinter and Brando has always gone very well returning from a break. Battle-hardened Summerghand and improving three-year-old Just Frank may provide the stiffest opposition.

Newbury stages an excellent jumps card and GOOD BALL (2.50) must go close for Paul Nicholls in the BetVictor Novices’ Handicap Hurdle.  The four-year-old scored here in November before finding Gowel Road too strong on a return visit to the track last month.

Hudson De Grugy impressed in the Sandown mud and Gary Moore has a nice young horse on his hands.

Mount Windsor seeks a five-timer for Chris Gordon but will do well to defy top weight. A bigger danger should be the Henderson-trained Hooper, a wide-margin victor at Hereford a fortnight ago.

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