Gone are the days when most punters risked a shilling on the Spring Double. Even my old grandad would find a ‘bob’ or two from his hard-earned wages to give to the ‘runner’, who would know where the house from which the local illegal back-street bookie was conducting his business was located.
I don’t remember if the Lincoln and the Grand National ever helped line grandad’s pockets but, as they say, it was the taking part not the winning that counted.
I’m not sure that the two races are still linked in the modern betting psyche. Yes, pundits and punters still talk of the Spring Double but you won’t find many bookmakers enticing you in with many special offers over the two events and the public generally only have eyes for the second leg, at Aintree, nowadays.
Still, it’s no surprise that the Lincoln continues to be sponsored by a major betting firm. Betway currently have their name on top of the Doncaster racecard and there is clearly profit to be made from a 20-plus runner race which is close as you get nowadays to a cavalry charge.
Lincoln Trends
Over the last 10 years, winners have been aged four, five or six. The winning horse has been rated between 90 and 104, which looks a small sample until you realise all but the top seven in the handicap in this year’s race fall outside that band. I’m not sure we can pay too much attention to weight carried as only one of this year’s line-up will carry under 9st.
Drainage work on Town Moor has largely destroyed any bias in the draw but you probably wouldn’t want your selection drawn bang in the middle of the Straight Mile. Six winners of the last 10 winners were making their seasonal reappearance and three of the exceptions had run on Turf at Meydan. Seemingly, gone are the days when an all-weather warm-up was an advantage and that just puts a question mark against the potentially well-treated favourite Yuften (a general 9/2).
Of the six winners that had previously run at Doncaster, five had placed or winning form at the track and 2014 winner Ocean Tempest had finished fifth in the Spring Mile. I’m hoping that’s a pointer to the chances of DONNCHA, who is 15/2 on Betfair.
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Donncha, second in last year’s consolation Spring Mile on Town Moor, was desperately unlucky not to win a big handicap last year but got little sympathy from the handicapper. However, he has the ideal partner at Doncaster this year in Jamie Spencer – let’s just hope he doesn’t arrive too late to the party this time!
Richard Fahey is hoping to land his third Betway Lincoln and will saddle five runners. Paul Hanagan rides Dolphin Vista, who comes to hand early and is probably his best hope. He’s a general 16/1 but would require the forecast rain to arrive in time. If it stays dry, Third time Lucky (14/1 with most layers) might be a better bet.
David O’Meara is certain to get some improvement out of Irish import Bravery and he’s been nibbled at in the ante-post market (14/1 in places). Oh This Is Us (a general 14/1) and You’re Fired (a best 20/1) probably have a few pounds too much but the former has winning form at the track and they look the pick of the remainder.
Betway Lincoln Current Best Odds
Yuften (9/2), Donncha (15/2), Top Notch Tonto (12/1), Bravery, Oh This Is Us and Third Time Lucky (14/1), Dolphin Vista and Battle Of Marathon (16/1), Zhui Feng (18/1), You’re Fired and Gabrial (20/1), Steel Train, Eddystone Rock, Instant Attraction, Withernsea and Heaven’s Guest (25/1), Lucy The Painter, Master Carpenter, George Cinq and Highland Colori (33/1), Emell and Dream Walker (40/1)
