Stream of Gold clinches Lincoln

Stream of Gold won the Lincoln by three lengths

Stream of Gold romped to an easy win in the showpiece Lincoln Heritage Handicap on the straight mile at Doncaster.

The Sir Michael Stoute-trained 5-1 favourite, ridden by Robert Winston, surged up the stand rail to beat Kevin Darley's New Seeker by three lengths.

Common World (14-1) was third with former champion jockey Kieren Fallon on Resplendent One (28-1) fourth.

The 22 runners split into two groups with Stream of Gold hitting the front two furlongs out from stall number 13.

It was a big result for Winston, who is one of 27 people on police bail after being arrested as part of a police inquiry into alleged race-fixing.

Winston, who denies any wrongdoing, praised his mount.

"He's a very nice horse, isn't he?" said the jockey, who - like Stoute - was celebrating his first Lincoln triumph.

"He's got a great temperament and he's so laid-back. He's got a good future this fellow.

He'd have won on any side Stream of Gold jockey Robert Winston

"I didn't have any worries and I always had my eye on the far side. They went very quick and he came there full of running and he has done it well.

"There was never a doubt in my mind about the draw. He'd have won on any side. I needed the ride, so thanks to Sir Michael."

Stoute's travelling head lad Jimmy Scott added: "He did look outstanding in the paddock - different class, I thought."

New Seeker started from stall 21, while the Irish raider Common World, from stall two, was the first home on the far side, one length further back under Fran Berry.

Darley said of New Seeker: "He has run a big race, but he was beaten by a very good horse. He hit a flat spot and then stayed on again."

Fallon would have partnered Stream Of Gold had he stuck with his job as stable jockey to Stoute.

I'm not going to bother coming over, unless maybe for a big day if there was a ride and nothing in Ireland Kieren Fallon

Instead, he is set to become trainer Aidan O'Brien's number one rider at the Ballydoyle stables in Ireland.

He said: "I think it's going to be my last weekend riding here with flying visits. I start working from Monday.

"I'll be back as many times as Aidan has got runners over here.

"That's what I'm going to concentrate on now.

"I'm not going to bother coming over, unless maybe for a big day if there was a ride and nothing in Ireland. But I wouldn't fly over and back like I have been doing."

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Stanleybet Lincoln Heritage Handicap
Doncaster, 1m straight
1 Stream of Gold (R Winston) 5-1
2 New Seeker (K Darley) 15-2
3 Common World (M Berry) 14-1
4 Resplendent One (K Fallon) 28-1
22 ran