Doncaster goes Flat out

Last year's Lincoln winner Nimello leads them home

The turf Flat season officially opens on Thursday in the same place as it closed back in November - Doncaster.

And the three-day meeting at the South Yorkshire track culminates in the first big race of the new campaign, the Lincoln Handicap.

Traditionally, the Lincoln is a cavalry charge over a straight mile with virtually every horse in with a chance of victory.

  Doncaster's big three

Thursday
Doncaster Mile
Friday
Spring Mile
Saturday
Lincoln Handicap

But its popularity among trainers and owners is rarely surpassed, with 70 horses left to fight for 24 allotted places at Monday's confirmation stage.

Despite the unseasonable weather, the three-day meeting is likely to attract a number of top-quality horses.

In the Lincoln Handicap, David Elsworth's Smirk leads a strong field looking to take the crown of Nimello.

The Paul Cole-trained star emulated the feats of Right Wing in 1999 and John Ferneley in 2000 by winning the race after going off favourite.

The statistic will be some consolation to the strongly backed Adiemus, who will start clear favourite this year despite the fact that preferred jockey Shane Kelly is suspended.

Shane Kelly has been suspended for The Lincoln

Other horses strongly fancied for the Lincoln include the Irish gelding Lord Protector, Faithful Warrior and I Cried For You.

Lynda and Jack Ramsden's Attache, who finished fourth last year, has also been working well at his Sandhutton base.

Thursday's big race, the Doncaster Mile for four-year-olds and upwards, will be a much smaller affair.

With only six runners set to go to post, it will be simpler to forecast.

Pat Eddery on favourite Dandoun, Darryl Holland on second favourite Swallow Flight and Jimmy Fortune on Cornelius are likely to contest the honours.

A number of those who do not make it into the final 24 of the Lincoln will run in the Spring Mile on Friday over the same distance.