TV TIPS (SATURDAY)

The flat is back and we preview all the ITV racing action from Doncaster's 'Lincoln Day' plus three races on the all-weather at Kempton.

13:15 DONCASTER

The inaugural flat season opener is potentially the hardest race to call in the entire season.

The Brocklesby is a staple of the flat turf calendar but close to 20 odd runners, all of whom are unraced two-year-olds, leaves you with little to no clues when it comes to finding a winner.

Nevertheless, we hope what little we have to go off might be enough to see our selections come out on top.

In a race of this nature and with so many runners, we’re going to find two to follow.

First up is the Amo Racing owned and Richard Hannon trained Norman’s Cay. The Hannon yard have been synonymous with their two-year-old talent, and the owners have done well in this race before. The son of Sioux Nation might be better over a longer trip in time but he looks to tick some of the right boxes to make a winning debut.

The other that could go well at bigger odds is Justice Twice. Representing the lesser known duo of trainer Hilal Kobeissi and jockey Kyle Strydom, the trainer has a solid strike rate with his youngsters and this fillies French lineage should see her appreciate this slight cut in the ground. Looks generously priced at the current odds.

Of the rest, both Kanishka and The Boreham Bullet could pose a threat to our selections.

NORMAN’S CAY (WIN)

JUSTICE TWICE (E/W)

13:50 DONCASTER

The consolation race for the Lincoln, the Spring Mile is no easier to figure out than the premier handicap later on the card.

Two horses are given each-way chances in the form of Empirestateofmind and Arthur's Realm. At the ages of seven both might not be at their peak but it'd be foolish to write them off so readily.

Empirestateofmind may not have won here at Donny before but he's produced encouraging and respectable performances every time he's stepped onto the turf here. From his four previous course and distance starts he's finished 3rd of 8, 2nd of 16, 7th of 22 and 8th of 15. If the rain falls drastically on Saturday morning his chances will only increase and he looks to be a horse that many might be sleeping on.

Arthur's Realm was well supported in a handful of mile handicaps last year but failed to deliver on expectations. Another horse with a solid course record including a 3rd in this race last year. Now back to his last winning mark and another horse who wont mind the softer going he's capable of going well.

We couldn't put any punter off Arthur's Realm's stablemate Pressure's On, along with Surrey Shadow and David Menuisier's Promethean as major players.

EMPIRESTATEOFMIND (E/W)

ARTHUR'S REALM (E/W)

14:05 KEMPTON

As one of the three course and distance winners, Cool Party has the credentials to pull off a good performance. With two wins and a place from four previous starts over this trip and track, he’ll have conditions to suit and with less weight on his back than he carried when last victorious he’s got a strong each-way claim.

If the betting is to be believed, then Kamboo and Who’s Glen are the ones who could upset the party.

COOL PARTY (E/W)

14:25 DONCASTER

A return to listed company looks like a good move by the connections of Spycatcher, who acquitted himself well to group company last season. He wasn’t the most prolific, but based on his best winning form, he should be more than competitive in this grade.

Stablemate Marshman looks the obvious danger after an impressive trio of runs on the all-weather. If he’s able to transfer that form to turf, he’d be a likely player, as will Al Shabab Storm.

SPYCATCHER (E/W)

14:40 KEMPTON

This race looks to be at the mercy of trainer Andrew Balding, who has a trio of runners in the lineup in the form of Teumessias Fox, Mount Atlas, and Lieber Power. All have viable claims, and according to the current betting, Mount Atlas is seen as the more fancied one of the trio but doesn’t represent much in the way of value, so as an each-way alternative, Teumessias Fox could be the answer. A winner here over a furlong further, he should appreciate the slightly shorter trip, and with Oisin Murphy booked, he’s got a quality rider to partner him.

The rest of the field also contains genuine contenders, with Paradias and bottom-weight Calumet as viable alternatives.

TEUMESSIAS FOX (E/W)

15:00 DONCASTER

It’s all about the Sheikh Mohammed Obaid owned duo in this listed contest with both Botanical and Liberty Lane the most obvious contenders.

Of the two, the pin falls onto the latter who has previous course and distance winning form. Being able to act well here at Doncaster is a major plus as the venue throws up a unique test for horses. Karl Burke’s charge will also appreciate the slight cut in the ground and looks the one to side with.

Witch Hunter could be an each-way alternative for punters looking for one with a bigger price.

LIBERTY LANE (WIN)

15:15 KEMPTON

Despite the fact she disappointed on her only previous all-weather start it’s hard to look past Soprano. The jet setting four-year-old competed at the highest level last year and if she’s found further improvement over the winter could be hard to pass.

The most interesting runner is Shuwari who returns to action after a 533 day layoff. She had a two-year-old campaign not to forget having gone close in Group 1 company. Arguably has the best form to offer but the lengthy stint on the sidelines is a major concern. If she was at her best she’d dominate this field but it’s hard to know what sort of form she’ll return to.

SOPRANO (WIN)

15:35 DONCASTER

The showpiece race of the day, the Lincoln Handicap, cements the start of the turf season, and as always, it’s just as hard to work out as any of the previous renewals.

Normally we’d try and pinpoint a few to go to war with but this year there’s just the one that we’ve settled on.

Top-weight Galeron returns from his exploits down under in Australia and the Wathnan Racing owned duo of Midnight Gun and Native Warrior also look intriguing but it’s Magnum Opus that gets our vote.

Simon Crisford’s runner should have a fitness edge after a winter in Dubai and claimed a credible 5th (after a poor start) in his only previous race at Doncaster. Off a fair mark and at the age of four still has room to progress. If the draw doesn’t become a disadvantage, he has every chance, but it’s hard to be too bullish in a race of this nature, so it’s a tentative selection.

MAGNUM OPUS (E/W)

written by Rory Paddock

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