Timeform Daily: Lincoln Handicap, Saturday, Doncaster 15:15

Race of the Day / Timeform / 30 March 2012 / Leave a Comment

Can Fury (grey) bounce back and again lead home a big field?

"Fury lost his way towards the end of 2011 but is potentially well treated as a result and, having been gelded, is worth siding with..."

Timeform take a look at the runners for a typically competitive Lincoln Handicap, run over Town Moor's straight mile...

Edinburgh Knight thrived in 2011, signing off with success in 1m listed race at Kempton. Strong traveller who may do even better this year and has good record fresh.

Eton Forever ran away with Spring Mile here on last year's reappearance. Fine efforts in strong handicaps last 2 starts, behind Man of Action over C&D second occasion. Still unexposed and leading claims.

Smarty Socks won 2 big-field 7f handicaps last summer but just as effective over 1m. Has won fresh, but needs a career best to land this on return.

Man of Action improved again upon joining Godolphin, winning competitive C&D handicap at the St Leger meeting. Not at best in 2 runs at Meydan this year, however, and change of headgear needs to do trick.

Start Right was a useful performer for Luca Cumani, making frame in competitive events on 3 of 4 starts in 2011 and carried on in similar vein for Godolphin at Meydan in recent months. Visored first time here.

Mia's Boy is a hold-up performer who won 2 of last 3 starts in 2011, adding to good record here first occasion. Ran a blinder and not beaten far at Wolverhampton last time and place claims at big price.

Field of Dream has not won since days with Luca Cumani in 2010. Respectable effort for new yard at Meydan on return but way more needed to prevail here.

Cocozza won 7f Cork maiden at 2 yrs for John Oxx and signed off last season with 2 good efforts over 1¼m. Been well backed ahead of return/handicap debut for new trainer and unexposed.

Pintura was placed 4 times in valuable turf handicaps last season. Weighted to the hilt now, though, and poor effort behind several of these on reappearance at Wolverhampton.

Fury was unbeaten at 2 yrs, landing valuable sales race. Nose second to Tazahum highlight of disappointing 2011, but no surprise to see him prove different proposition this year having been gelded.

Askaud won class 3 fillies handicaps at Goodwood and Haydock (10.5f) last summer. Found listed company too strong final 2 starts and this looks too tough on reappearance.

Lowther was kept busy by Alan Bailey last year, winning twice at Wolverhampton and generally holding form well. Shown nothing in 2 runs at Dubai Carnival for current yard, though.

Clockmaker won twice at end of 2011 and solid efforts in defeat on polytrack since, third in listed race last time. Weighted right up to his best on return to a handicap, though.

Mull of Killough often shaped well for Richard Fahey and opened account for new yard at first attempt in 1m Lingfield handicap in January. Interesting on his third off current mark in this in 2010.

Brae Hill is a tactically versatile sort who raced alone on the stands' side when capturing the 7f Bunbury Cup last summer. Disappointing after, but second on return in this last year off same mark.

Don't Call Me signed off 2011 with success in 1m Ayr handicap on soft ground, responding well to refitting of tongue tie. Returns on career-high mark and others more persuasive.

Light From Mars won last year's Newbury Spring Cup (1m) for David Nicholls. 2 lb below that mark now and shaped encouragingly on return at Wolverhampton. Conditions will suit and an interesting contender.

Stevie Thunder's victories in 1m handicaps last summer preceded second in Cambridgeshire. Ran well in minor event when last seen in October but career best needed to make successful return in this.

Shavansky is a slow starter who posted couple of good efforts after taking 1m Chepstow handicap last summer. Not too harshly treated on return but would be surprise winner.

Amitola was as good as ever when making all in 1m Lingfield handicap in February, but come up short off revised mark twice since and this is even tougher.

Barren Brook won at York (9f) and here (1¼m) last summer and couple of creditable runs after. Seemingly hiding nothing from handicapper on return, though, and needed reappearance last season.

Dubai Dynamo ran well off higher marks in some competitive handicaps last season and some promise to take from 2 runs on polytrack in recent weeks. Not hard to make stronger case for others, though.

Timeform 1-2-3:
1. Fury
2. Cocozza
3. Eton Forever

Timeform View: A typically competitive Lincoln. Fury lost his way towards the end of 2011 but is potentially well treated as a result and, having been gelded, is worth siding with to continue his yard's fine record in the race. The unexposed Cocozza is interesting on debut for Marco Botti, while the likes of Eton Forever, Mull of Killough, Light From Mars and Mia's Boy should all go well.
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Racehorses of 2011 is out now and contains essays on the top performers, over 300 photos, Timeform Top 100s and much more. Click HERE to secure your copy.

The world's richest race, the $10 million Dubai World Cup at Meydan on Saturday March 31, has attracted a star-studded fourteen-runner field. Timeform give you their assessment of the race, runner by runner.......

It's all about quality on Turffontein's day-night card on Saturday as the SA Classic (due off 16:20 BST), the continent's richest race for three-year-old's, takes place over the track's tough 1800m. Here is a guide to the runners......

Timeform provide a runner-by-runner guide to a a fascinating handicap hurdle at Wetherby on Friday......

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Lincoln Handicap: Time to Mull over the Doncaster field

Ante-post / Matt Gardner / 27 March 2012 / Leave a Comment

Doncaster stages the Lincoln on March 31.

"judging on his Lingfield win, when back to his best, it is difficult to argue that he [Mull of Killough] does not have just as good a chance of gaining victory."

Saturday March 31 sees the seasonal return of British Turf Flat racing, with Doncaster's Lincoln Handicap being the traditional curtain raiser that urges Flat racing fans to wake up from their winter hibernation. Timeform's Matt Gardner searches through the field in the hope of unearthing a spot of ante-post value...

Currently trading as favourite for the Lincoln Handicap is the Roger Varian-trained Eton Forever, a lightly-raced five-year-old who has visited the track just eight times since making his debut in April 2010. Successful in the Spring Mile, a consolation race to the Lincoln, at the meeting 12 months ago, Eton Forever marked himself down as a pattern race winner in waiting that day, travelling powerfully before bursting clear in the final furlong and having more in hand than the winning margin of three and three-quarter lengths.

However, a trio of defeats later and there has to be questions over his standing as the market leader, for all he came close to matching that Spring Mile form when runner-up to Man of Action on his final start last year at the same venue. While Eton Forever's two standout efforts have both been at Doncaster and it is very possible that he can return at his peak, taking the [7.0] currently available does not make much appeal.

Another that is prominent in the market is the William Haggas-trained Fury, who finished fifth to Frankel in the 2000 Guineas. Fury was unbeaten in his two starts as a two-year-old and showed smart form when winning the valuable Tattersalls Millions at Newmarket.

His Guineas run the following season was promising, too, confirming impressions that he was a Group winner in the making, but in even more emphatic style than Eton Forever he failed to live up to that billing throughout the rest of the season, not beating a single rival home in his final three starts.

Fury has since been gelded and has come in for notable market support but, again, the [8.6] available at present smacks as being on the skinny side for one with obvious doubts surrounding him in a race as competitive as this.

One that is more than worthy of consideration is Edinburgh Knight, who won his final two races of 2011. Although he had begun to look out of sorts, with disappointing efforts in the Stewards' Cup, Great St Wilfrid and Ayr Silver Cup serving as evidence, Edinburgh Knight bounced back with a win in the apprentice handicap on Champions Day at Ascot before improving on anything that had gone before when achieving listed success at Kempton in November. The suspicion, however, is that he is something of an "all or nothing" performer, making him difficult to fully commit to for all that he may run well.

Godolphin break new ground on the opening day of the 2012 Flat season by fielding their first ever runners in the Lincoln. Both Start Right and the aforementioned Man of Action have been plying their trade in Dubai over the winter, and it is the former that is marginally preferred on Timeform weight-adjusted ratings, although the duo come with negatives attached.

Start Right has been unable to get his head in front since July 2010, and excuses are seemingly on the thin side after curling up under pressure on his latest start. Man of Action boasts a win over Saturday's course and distance, when finishing just over a length and a half in front of Eton Forever, but he has looked awkward in his two starts at Meydan and does not seem one to be placing any faith in at present.

Smarty Socks, trained by David O'Meara, enjoyed a fantastic year in 2011, winning twice and racking up a number of solid efforts. His penultimate start last year, when runner-up at Ascot to potential pattern race performer Pastoral Player and his previous effort when successful at that same track were both career bests, and his final start of the year is worth forgiving as it may just have been one to many for the campaign. Smarty Socks appeals as one that will give you a run for your money, although he will typically be a hostage to his hold-up/weave through the field run style.

One that is really rather interesting indeed is Leviathan, trained by Tony Newcombe, although there is a very real possibility that he will not make the final field.

The five-year-old put up a career-best when winning at Salisbury off the same mark as he will run off on Saturday (89) and was arguably deserving of extra credit given the second, third and fourth were possibly at an advantage as the field split, Leviathan having to work hard to make up the forfeited ground. Things didn't really go to plan thereafter, but he has a reasonable excuse for his latest two poor efforts as he looks a non-stayer at a mile and a quarter. A return to a mile and this track (two runs here have yielded two of his better performances) are definite pluses, and he is worth supporting if making the Lincoln field. If he doesn't, he'll be worth backing for the Spring Mile.

A final one to mention is Mull of Killough, who scored on his debut for Jane Chapple-Hyam at Lingfield in January. The six-year-old finished third in the 2010 Lincoln, off the same BHA rating that he will race off on Saturday, and the Doncaster handicap has appealed as the ideal starting point for this horse for some time. His current price of [22.0] is almost double what his starting price was two years ago and, judging on his Lingfield win, when back to his best, it is difficult to argue that he does not have just as good a chance of gaining victory.

The Flat season could not get underway in much more competitive style than the Lincoln Handicap, and it should prove to be an exciting and informative event. Leviathan would be the selection were he a certain runner but, with doubts about him making the cut, he cannot be recommended as an ante-post selection, although he is well worth supporting in this contest should he make it, or in the Spring Mile should he not. Mull of Killough also appeals as one of the best value bets in the field, particularly with doubts creeping in regards the top two in the market.

Recommendation
Back Mull of Killough @ [22.0] for the Lincoln Handicap

There are three meetings in Ireland this weekend but the one that stands out is at the Curragh, as it signals the start of the Irish Flat season proper. Timeform look at the pick of the action........

With temperatures predicted to hit 20°C it isn't going to feel much like the cold season at Lingfield on Saturday, where the Winter Derby head's a quality card. Timeform's Adam Brookes takes a look at the ten-furlong Group 3 feature and warms to the claims of one horse in particular......

This weekend saw Roger Charlton's unbeaten three-year-old Top Offer attract market support for the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket on May 5......

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Lincoln Handicap News: No Lightning in Lincoln entry

News / Timeform / 26 March 2012 / Leave a Comment

Doncaster is the venue for this Saturday's Lincoln Handicap

"Now with David O'Meara, Penitent, who has a Timeform master rating of 112, was bought for 40,000 guineas by Middleham Park Racing at the Tattersalls Sales in October..."

Last year's winner Sweet Lightning has been taken out of the Lincoln, in which 2010 victor Penitent will now carry top weight at Doncaster on Saturday...

Now with David O'Meara, Penitent, who has a Timeform master rating of 112, was bought for 40,000 guineas by Middleham Park Racing at the Tattersalls Sales in October and was sent to the Nawton handler.

O'Meara also has a strong second string to his bow in Smarty Socks who has, so far, achieved a Timeform rating of 111.

Eton Forever (115), winner of the Spring Mile consolation race 12 months ago for Roger Varian, is this year near the head of the weights for the main event.

Edinburgh Knight (116), another ante-post fancy, is also set to carry a welter burden.

Godolphin still have two possible runners, Start Right (110) and Man Of Action (107), engaged, while Cocozza (102) is due to have his first run for Marco Botti.

Fury (111), fifth in the 2000 Guineas last season, is set to represent Lincoln specialist William Haggas.

Pintura (106) is one of several potential candidates for owner Dr Marwan Koukash.

Bonnie Brae (108), Font Of Wisdom (106) and Glor Na Mara (98) were also among those to have been taken out.

O'Meara, who made his mark in no uncertain terms last season, is looking to begin the new campaign the way he ended the last one - by saddling plenty of winners.

"Smarty Socks and Penitent will be our two runners, we have a third entry in Mont Ras but he won't get in (43rd on list)," said O'Meara.

"Penitent won the Lincoln off 98, he likes a bit of soft ground and he's off 108 now.

"We haven't had him long, Middleham Park bought him and kindly sent him to us.

"The two horses are very different, Smarty loves firm ground while Penitent likes a bit of cut.
One's a former winner while the other is at the top of his game and now running off 102 and has to improve again. Penitent has been there and done it and has slipped down a bit.

"Smarty is a hold-up horse whereas Penitent sits handy. Smarty is probably more effective at seven and he needs a strong-run race but he has won over a mile.

"He does have an issue sometimes of missing the break but he can cope with it.

"Smarty does like Doncaster. He's won there a couple of times but has to raise his game again. He finished sixth in the Spring Mile last year and tends to get better as the summer goes on and the ground gets quicker.

"We didn't expect him to break through the 100 barrier last year and he did so it's anyone's guess as to how much he'll find this year.

"Penitent has won a Listed race at Sandown on good ground so he doesn't have to have it soft but I don't think he'd run on good to firm.

"He doesn't show a great deal at home but when we take him away (to Tim Easterby's) to work him he shows more.

"Obviously he's won it so he's a class horse and he's grand to have around the place. Hopefully he'll be fit enough on Saturday, he's done plenty of work.

"Silvestre de Sousa will be in Dubai you'd think, so it will be up to Danny (Tudhope) which one he rides. He'll probably wait and see what the ground is like."

Champion jockey Paul Hanagan may have signed up to ride for Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum for the forthcoming season, but his first major ride will come for the Godolphin stable of Saeed bin Suroor.

Hanagan will ride Start Right while William Buick will partner Man Of Action as they become Godolphin`s first ever runners in the historic race.

"We have Paul Hanagan and William Buick on standby to ride," said Godolphin racing manager Simon Crisford.

"Paul Hanagan will partner Start Right and William Buick will ride Man Of Action. Both horses will run provided the ground is good or faster and have had a good winter in Dubai.

"Man Of Action is a course-and-distance winner over Doncaster's straight mile and likes being held up for a late run off a fast pace but just needs things to go his own way.

"Start Right has been freshened up since finishing third at Meydan last month and is going well at the moment.

"They are both fit after a winter campaign in Dubai, though neither managed to win, and arrived back in Britain on Sunday.

"This will be the first time Godolphin has had runners in the Lincoln. These two horses belong in heritage handicaps and there are only so many of them in the programme book.

"With Man Of Action being a course-and-distance winner, it seemed the obvious race for him, while there was nothing left for Start Right in Dubai.

"Start Right has been frustrating because he often runs very well but has not managed to get his head in front recently. One day his turn will come and hopefully that will be on Saturday.

"The key to both these horses is for them to have decent ground - on the fast side of good ideally - and they definitely do not want soft going."

Varian believes the straight mile at Doncaster plays to Eton Forever's strengths.

"He put up a few solid performances throughout last season," the Newmarket handler told At The Races.

"He's a horse that can go well fresh and he doesn't mind good, good to firm ground.
"I'm not sure if he's a better horse (this season).

"He's a horse that holds a good amount of ability, but he's five now and has only run eight times, so he's not got many miles on the clock."

The ante-post market for the Lincoln is currently headed by Eton Forever, who is available to back for the contest at ([7.0]). Fury and Cocozza are also prominent in the market, trading at ([9.0]) and ([14.0]) respectively.

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Racehorses of 2011 is out now and contains essays on the top performers, over 300 photos, Timeform Top 100s and much more. Click HERE to secure your copy.

Trainer Anthony Cummings has said that his three-year-old Strike The Stars will swerve the Doncaster Mile and instead head for the Rosehill Guineas on his way to the Australian Derby......

Godolphin's Gamilati has undergone surgery to remove a chip from her near-fore ankle and may now be forced to miss the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket on May 6.......

Though the culmination of the all-weather season, it's difficult to see Winter Derby day at Lingfield as anything other than the beginning on the new Flat season given the quality of horses and the promising performances on show. David Johnson takes a look at them from the Timeform ratings perspective......

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Lincoln Handicap: Eton Forever heads the entries

News / Timeform / 08 February 2012 / Leave a Comment

Eton Forever's early season target will be the Lincoln.

"Eton Forever has wintered very well and, although it is still very early days, he will be on a training schedule to get him to the Lincoln..."

The Roger Varian-trained Eton Forever features among 97 initial entries for the Lincoln at Doncaster on March 31...

The historic handicap is the traditional curtain-raiser to the Flat season and Eton Forever showed a liking for Town Moor when running away with the Spring Mile, a consolation race for the Lincoln, on the same card last year.

The five-year-old, rated 111 by Timeform, went on to run three creditable races in defeat and his trainer is keeping his fingers crossed for further improvement.

"Eton Forever has wintered very well and, although it is still very early days, he will be on a training schedule to get him to the Lincoln, although a lot can happen in the meantime," said Varian.

"He didn't do much wrong last season. He ran two good races at Ascot but we came away from there, particularly after the Royal Hunt Cup where he was travelling very well two furlongs out, thinking that he didn't really get the trip over that stiff mile.

"We think an easy mile like the Doncaster mile or a stiff seven furlongs will be his ideal trip.

"He is rated 103 (BHA rating) now, which is quite a high mark and he hasn't done anything to suggest he should be any higher than that, but time will tell if he progresses further this season.

"He is a very likeable horse, with good ability, and the type of horse who runs well fresh so we will target him at the race as it might be the best time to catch him early on in the season."

The Michael Dods-trained Sweet Lightning took the Lincoln in 2011 and, although injury has kept him out of action since, connections are still hopeful he will be ready to defend his crown.

Tim Jones, racing manager for owner Andrew Tinkler, said: "Sweet Lightning is in Dubai at the moment and is going to have one or maybe two runs out there leading up the Lincoln. We will take it from there.

"The reality is that he is now rated significantly higher than he was last year (8lb higher) so whether he can go there and carry that sort of weight in the Lincoln or not, I don't know.

"Very shortly after last year's success he suffered an injury that he has taken a very long time to recover from, so it is a matter of trying to find out whether or not he has retained his ability, but he appears to be in great form at the moment.

"I would like to think he has more improvement in him. The plan will be for Johnny Murtagh to ride him again and similar ground to last year will be perfect."

Unbeaten champion Black Caviar will face eight rivals in Saturday's $400,000 C.F. Orr Stakes at Caulfield (due off 04:50 GMT) when she goes for her 18th straight victory and her eighth at Group 1 level......

Current Supreme Novices' Hurdle favourite Steps To Freedom remains on course to have a run on the Flat at Dundalk on Friday February 17......

With Saturday's card at Newbury at the mercy of the elements, Betfair have opened a market regarding whether racing will take place......

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Timeform Daily: Lincoln Handicap, Saturday, Doncaster 15:10

Race of the Day / Timeform / 02 April 2011 / Leave a Comment

"...they all may struggle to live with Taqleed, who fits the recent profile of an unexposed sort firmly on the upgrade."

Timeform run the rule over the first major handicap prize of the Flat season...

Harrison Georgerecord last season is very hard to fault, taking his form to a new level while winning four times at up to 1m. A claimer helps offset what looks a stiff mark on his return to handicap company.

Sweet Lightning looks in the handicapper's grip after a productive year in 2010 and more sound efforts in Dubai, plus he has done nearly all his racing over further, winning over as far as 1½m.

Castles In The Air's career highlight came when landing a strong 7f handicap at Ascot last July. He found life tougher off higher marks after, and has never shaped as if in need of this longer trip.

Lowther has enjoyed a really productive AW campaign, winning three times in all, looking better than ever at Wolverhampton on his last two starts. A penalty means he's got even more on his plate returned to turf.

Axiom's victory in a 7f Goodwood handicap in August was the highlight of what was otherwise a disappointing season in 2010. His mark is still higher than it was then on return for a new trainer, and others are more persuasive.

Light From Mars often ran with credit in top handicaps for Rod Millman last season without managing to get his head in front. His record fresh is encouraging, and it would be no surprise if his new yard conjures a bit more from him.

Docofthebay is a hold-up type who ended a three-year losing run in the autumn, finishing the year with a series of good efforts at 7f. He was as good as ever when runner-up on the AW last month, and is on a very fair mark.

Tartan Gigha battled well to gain two narrow wins at around 9f early last summer. He lost his form after, but returned to his best when finding only Lowther too good on the AW last month, and is 1 lb lower here.

Irish Heartbeat improved on joining this yard last year, winning the Spring Mile on his reappearance and a 6.5f handicap here in September. He has not always found much when it matters, but has a good record fresh and is the pick of Paul Hanagan.

Doctor Crane looked to be going in the right direction when landing a 1¼m handicap at Newmarket in May 2009 but has not been seen since. Eyeshields are fitted on this belated return, and his stable has a stronger candidate in Taqleed.

Dubai Hills proved a revelation when switched to 7f on fibresand, completing a four-timer in January. His progress came to a halt on polytrack, and he has probably done his winning for now, at least away from Southwell.

Kiwi Bay won twice over this trip at Redcar last season. He was largely below formotherwise, and tends to need a few runs to hit full stride.

Prime Exhibit was runner-up in the race last year off a 4 lb lower mark. He did well to finish so close to Lowther and Tartan Gigha on his reappearance after being hampered, and looks the pick of the Fahey brigade.

Brae Hill has a couple of 7f wins to his name around Chester and his best performances last season were at that track. He has raced freely, and his stable boasts stronger candidates on his return, particularly at this trip.

Taqleed powered clear in a1m maiden on his belated return last year and stepped up markedly when following up in a Newmarket handicap soon after. He ran creditably in the Cambridgeshire on his final start in 2010 and rates a smart prospect after just four starts.

Our Joe Mac appreciated soft ground when scoring at Haydock in August and things didn't go his way both starts later last year. A poor effort in the Irish equivalent of this race on his reappearance tempers enthusiasm.

Al Muheer enjoyed a productive 2009 for Clive Brittain, winning a valuable handicap at Ascot. He has not yet had the chance to show what he can really do for his present stable, and is potentially well treated on his return.

Dream Lodge failed to get his head in front last season for Richard Fahey as his attitude seemed to get the better of him. He is potentially well treated now for another good stable, though.

Fremont won two of his four starts as a juvenile, including an impressive success in a 7f Salisbury minor event. Things didn't go to plan in two handicaps last spring, and it would be a very good training performance were he to land this.

Prince of Dance was unbeaten in three starts in 2009, including in a 1m listed race. He was nowhere near asgood last year, and was well held on AW debut last month for another new stable.

Eton Rifles is a speedy performer who won twice over 6f in 2009, and showed better form in defeat on his final three starts last season. He has a career-high mark to contend with now, and 1m is far from certain to suit.

Gunner Lindley won a at Haydock as a 2-y-o and rounded off last season with a deserved victory over this trip at York. He is still relatively unexposed, and needs considering at the foot of the weights.

Timeform 1-2-3:
1. Taqleed
2. Prime Exhibit
3. Gunner Lindley

Timeform View: It would be no surprise were Prime Exhibit to fare best of those who ran at Wolverhampton last month, and he's the pick of the Fahey team. Docofthebay is dangerously handicapped, and Gunner Lindley needs considering at the foot of the weights, but they all may struggle to live with Taqleed, who fits the recent profile of an unexposed sort firmly on the upgrade.

Timeform run the rule over this sprint handicap......

Timeform run the rule over this interesting three-year-old handicap......

We're at Catterick for the first day of the Flat turf season......

Betfair website

Horseracing Betting Briefing: Lincoln at Doncaster start of Flat season proper

Weekly Betfair Briefing / Timeform / 26 March 2011 / Leave a Comment

Although there is racing at Catterick on Wednesday, Doncaster on Saturday is the start of the Flat season proper

"The fixture that for many signals the true start of the Flat season takes place on Saturday as Doncaster plays host to the Lincoln meeting."

Timeform preview next week's racing, which includes the official start of the British Flat season...

Sunday March 27

Wincanton and Hexham are the scenes for NH racing in Britain on Sunday, while over in Ireland they go over jumps at Downpatrick and on the level at Leopardstown. It is the latter of those Irish venues that hosts the day's most interesting fare with both the 1,000 and 2,000 Guineas Trials set to take place. Both races have been known to influence the classics themselves, Virginia Waters being the last filly to follow at win at Leopardstown with one at Newmarket, while Refuse To Bend did the same double for colts in 2003.

Monday March 28

Two of the three meetings in Britain on Monday take place over jumps (Plumpton, Towcester) while the other is on the all-weather (Wolverhampton).

Tuesday March 29

Taunton is the sole NH fixture scheduled for Tuesday, when all-weather action dominates with cards at Lingfield and Southwell.

Wednesday March 30

The new British Flat season kicks off on Wednesday with seven rather low-key races at Catterick. The day's remaining action takes place over jumps at Hereford and on the all-weather at Lingfield in the afternoon and Wolverhampton in the evening.

Thursday March 31

The second turf meeting of the Flat season takes place at Leicester on Tuesday, where the highlight is often the Kibworth Handicap, a mile-and-a-half event for three-year-olds that often works out well. The day's sole jumps card in Britain takes place at Ludlow, while in the evening there are seven races on the all-weather at Wolverhampton. Racing also returns to Ireland with an early-evening jumps meeting at Cork.

Friday April 1

Four meetings in total on Friday; on the Flat turf at Musselburgh, on the all-weather at Wolverhampton and over jumps at Newcastle and Stratford.

Saturday April 2

The fixture that for many signals the true start of the Flat season takes place on Saturday as Doncaster plays host to the Lincoln meeting. The Lincoln itself, run over Doncaster's straight mile, is the main event, but there is a strong supporting card including the listed Cammidge Trophy over six furlongs, while there is also the prospect of seeing some speedy two-year-olds out in the Brocklesby.

Kempton also stages good-quality Flat racing on Saturday with two listed races - namely the ten-furlong Magnolia Stakes and the Snowdrop Fillies' Stakes over a mile - along with a pair of historic handicaps in the shape of the Rosebery and the Queen's Prize.

The day's two remaining fixtures both take place over jumps, at Chepstow and Uttoxeter respectively.

Timeform look ahead to next week's racing, with the Dubai World Cup meeting and the Winter Derby at Lingfield the big highlights......

Timeform look ahead to next week's racing, which very much has the feel of the calm before the storm, though on Saturday there is at least the Imperial Cup to look forward to......

The calm before the Cheltenham storm somewhat, but this week's action is set to feature some good horses and lots of opportunities to bolster you betting kitty for the Festival......

Betfair website