Architect Tips provides his best bets from the ITV races this week featuring the Lincoln Meet at Doncaster.
13:50 Doncaster
FARASI LANE (best price 20/1) looked unlucky not to collect the Lincoln Trial at Wolverhampton last time out when denied by only a short-head in second and is back on the turf off only a pound higher mark.
His last win came off a slightly higher figure when beating a 90-rated horse, so he’s quite well handicapped at present. I’m convinced the seven-year-old has been craving a strongly-run straight mile contest.
That looks on the agenda here and low drawn numbers dominated this race last year (he’s drawn in stall 2). With up to five places available, I can see him exceeding his double-figure odds under Kieran Shoemark.
RHYTHM MASTER (best price 20/1) is a horse I’ve had on my radar for this valuable contest. The seven-year-old is thrown in here off a mark of 87 judged on his best form and could easily make an impact.
Eligible to operate from a 13lb lower mark than when last successful, he’s entitled to strip fitter from his eye-catching comeback run at Southwell, where he missed the break before finishing his race off strongly as he often does.
He’s run some good races here and although he was below par on his only previous turf start over this trip, that was in a Group 3 event behind Baaeed when rated 109. Off a career-low mark, and drawn in stall 1, he’s worth a second look.
Back him each-way with up to five places widely available.
I’m really liking the each-way credentials about the thriving MYAL (best price 12/1), who was last seen recording an all-the-way success in a large-field handicaps here in October and could continue where he left off on his seasonal reappearance.
He’s yet to go beyond seven furlongs, but he wasn’t stopping the finish last time out, where he had a few of these comfortably held in behind and was even allowed to be eased down towards the finish.
That latest win was his fourth consecutive victory, and David Allen, who gave him a peach that day, is retained. The four-year-old seems ground-versatile, and with the limit not reached, I suspect he’s been saved for this race.
With more to offer, as well as being drawn in the middle in stall 10, don’t be surprised to see Steph Hollinshead’s improving youngster make a bold bid in search of a five-timer.
Take the double-figure odds about him each-way with up to five places widely available.
14:25 Doncaster
Karl Burke’s SPYCATCHER (best price 5/1) lacks a recent run, but a few of his rivals' ratings look inflated, whereas his is justified, having established himself as a Group 1 horse on his day.
He wasn’t beaten far when sixth of 20 in the Champions Sprint Stakes last time out and finished a good third in a Group 3 on his last start at this course.
He had Marshman comfortably in behind when a close-up third on his return in a Group 3 race last season, and with James Doyle booked to ride, this dual Grade 1 placed sprinter should be bang in contention at the business end.
15:00 Doncaster
The Doncaster Mile looks competitive, but the vote is handed to DANCING GEMINI (best price 10/3) (NAP), who came within a half-length when runner-up in the French 2000 Guineas on his reappearance last season and could be hard to beat.
Roger Teal’s four-year-old wasn’t able to sustain that excellent effort in four subsequent outings, but he goes well when fresh, and is dropped in class. This listed course winner has outstanding claims on his return to action.
15:35 Doncaster
The William Hill Lincoln is undoubtedly one of the most competitive handicaps of the Flat season and I’m willing to chance two outsiders, who could be set to outrun their odds.
SEAN (best price 33/1) doesn’t look like an obvious one on the trends, but the eight-year-old was highly tried by connections last season, and shaped well in most of them.
He made his stable debut in a Group 3 at Epsom and finished a solid fourth before finishing a respectable 11th of 29 in the Royal Hunt Cup at Royal Ascot.
He then finished second under a monster weight at Ascot behind the 104-rated Elnajmm off a mark of 106 prior to running well on his next couple of starts, too.
His four starts this term have been in Meydan, with two most recent efforts seeing him finish second to the exciting Arabian Light, as well as an eye-catching fourth behind the top-class Nations Pride last time out.
Back in the UK off a revised 4lb lower mark than when last seen in Britain, the combination of today’s big field and nice ground will suit him.
He has fitness on his side and remains totally unexposed in the handicapping ranks, so it would come as no surprise to see him go well. Six places widely available.
A Group 3 winner at two, ORNE (best price 22/1) is a very interesting handicap debutant for the Gosden’s in the feature race on the card.
This four-year-old concluded last season on a low note, but will find this easier than the races he’d been contesting, with his second in the Group 2 Sandy Lane Stakes reading well.
In that event, he split two top-class sprinters in the shape of Inisherin and Vandeek, who are rated in the high 110s.
Since winning two of his first three starts, he’s been running against top-class horses and shaped well on his two previous goes over the mile trip.
He split the Dee Stakes 1-2 when second at Chelmsford last April and looks very well treated off an opening mark of 97. Luke Catton can also take off a further 5lb.
The usual headgear is discarded, so at huge odds, I’d like to think he can get seriously involved in a handicap like this. Six places generally on offer.
