Horse Racing: Doncaster – Saturday 29th March Tips and Betting Preview

We are a week away from the biggest horse race in the world taking place but before our attention turns towards the Grand National meeting at Aintree next week we have the start of the flat season in the UK on Saturday with Doncaster the venue.

The Lincoln handicap is considered the curtain raiser for the new flat campaign and we are going with a couple of bets for that race and there is another decent handicap on the card that we’re going double-handed in too.

1.50 Doncaster: Spring Mile Handicap

The return of the flat & the first big handicap is the Spring Mile, the reserve race for the Lincoln later on the card.  Last year’s winner Look Back Smiling is primed to go well but would be of greater interest if the rain came.  Instead, the first bet for me is Promethean, who is the only maiden in the field but, after just 6 starts, has loads more to offer.  He was a fast finishing head 2nd at Newmarket in October off 2lb lower before again finishing to great effect over a mile & a quarter here when a closing 4th off this mark.  He wasn’t so good since back here but was lit up pretty badly in the preliminaries & his chance had effectively gone there & then.   It’s interesting that his trainer sent him here twice, suggesting this has been the plan since.  An interesting jockey booking too with a promising 3lb apprentice taking the ride.   With a fast pace assured, he should be one finishing as well as any on ground that is likely to suit.

Spirit Of Acklam is my second bet.  Two good runs from 4 handicap starts with promise of a lot more to come, he comes here having been gelded & today sports first time cheekpieces.  Having won 2 races on softish ground in novice company, he’s twice finished 3rd – once at Ayr over a couple of furlongs further & most recently on the all weather at Southwell over this trip.   Yard is in decent nick, I think this trip suits best & he’s effective on the likely easy going so, provided he doesn’t do too much too soon towards the head of affairs, he looks primed to go close in an open heat, especially as 4 of the past 6 winners came here after a run on all weather over the winter.

Tips

Back Promethean (e/w) for a 1/10 stake at 9.00 Paddy Power (⅕ odds 1-6)

Back Spirit Of Acklam (e/w) for a 1/10 stake at 11.00 Paddy Power (⅕ odds 1-6)

Special Offer

Open up a Boylesports account during the Cheltenham Festival and bet £10 on any race to get £20 in bonuses! Click the image below to take advantage of this fantastic offer! 18+ T&Cs apply Gamble Aware.

3.35 Doncaster: Lincoln Handicap

The Spring Mile might give us some clues as to the draw but I’m in the camp of following the pace which seems to be middle (to high).   There’s all sorts of improving types in here but the first one I like is Whip Cracker.  From a yard who can do no wrong at the minute, he arrives off the back of a closing 4th in the Lincoln Trial at Wolverhampton.   He travelled well into this but once in the straight & in the clear, he finished to good effort suggesting this straight track will be right up his street.  He has form on easy ground with 2 good runs in 2 good handicaps at Newbury & Goodwood.  In the first of those, he was a little keen & perhaps didn’t get home on heavy ground over a quarter of a mile further than this.  At Goodwood, he travelled eyecatchingly well & got to the front without breaking sweat but perhaps did a little too much & again the very heavy ground found him out.  Down 2lbs to the same mark at his run last time out, I think he’s got a top chance with this bigger field in this strong travellers’ favour.

From a yard that has hit the crossbar in this twice in the last 3 years, I like the chances of Magnum Opus.  Well drawn, in form & in theory 3lbs well-in, I’d be disappointed if he didn’t run a massive race.  He’s been campaigned in the UAE over the winter & won a handicap off 5lbs lower 2 starts back before finishing 4th of 16, just 1 length behind the winner, off 1lb higher than today’s mark on his most recent start.  He looked like he had more to give that day as he didn’t get the clearest of runs so, to me, he’s arguably as well handicapped as any despite being less exposed than a few in the field.   Yard is going well & they deserve some compensation in the first big handicap of the season, so I’m hoping today’s the day.

Tips

Back Whip Cracker (e/w) for a 1/10 stake at 11.00 William Hill (⅕ odds 1-6)

Back Magnum Opus (e/w) for a 1/10 stake at 17.00 Bet365 (⅕ odds 1-6)