Babodana takes Lincoln

Babodana (right) won by three-quarters of a length

Babodana held on to win the Freephone Stanleybet Lincoln Handicap at Doncaster, the first major race of the Flat season.

The 20-1 shot, who started from stall 23, carried 9st 10lb but made light of the handicap to equal the weight-carrying record in the race.

Trained by Mark Tompkins and ridden by Philip Robinson, Babodana made his move about three furlongs out.

With the horses split into two groups, Quito finished well to take second with Dark Charm back in third.

Jay Gee's Choice made the early running on the stands side, while Fremen set the pace on the far side.

And when Babodana joined Jay Gee's Choice with three furlongs to go, the stands-side horses pulled clear and he held on to win by three-quarters of a length.

"He's a good horse, always has been, and we've looked after him all the time," said Tompkins.

"He's always had a future, so we didn't hammer him at all.

"He's been working nicely, but he's a Group horse really. He had to be to win under 9st 10lb."

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Freephone Stanleybet Lincoln
Doncaster, One mile

1. Babodana (P Robinson) 20-1
2. Quito (A Culhane) 50-1
3. Dark Charm (P Hanagan) 20-1
4. Wing Commander (T Hamilton) 33-1
24 ran. Dist: ¾l, hd.