2022 Lincoln: the runners, the odds, the verdict

The feature race on the opening day of the British Flat season is the SBK Lincoln (3.35 Doncaster), won last year by Haqeeqy. Will Mujtaba and Modern News prove some way ahead of the handicapper or will they be upstaged by an experienced rival?

3.35 Doncaster Saturday: SBK Lincoln Handicap racecard and betting

1 Safe Voyage

Two-time Group 2 winner but patchy campaign last year; looks vulnerable off top weight

Trainer: John Quinn
Jockey: Ryan Sexton (7)
Odds: 50-1

2 Modern News

Lightly raced 4yo; 3-3 in handicaps over 7f and shapes as though he'll be suited by 1m

Trainer: Charlie Appleby
Jockey: Harry Davies (7)
Odds: 4-1 joint-favourite

3 Brunch

Runner-up in this race last year; 4lb higher now but an each-way contender

Trainer: Michael Dods
Jockey: Jason Hart
Odds: 14-1

4 Marie's Diamond

Won off this mark at Ayr last season but this looks tough against some progressive rivals

Trainer: Roger Fell
Jockey: Rowan Scott
Odds: 50-1

5 Johan

On a competitive mark on best form but below par on final two runs for William Haggas

Trainer: Mick Channon
Jockey: Silvestre de Sousa
Odds: 33-1

6 What's The Story

Last season was cut short after two below-par runs; goes well fresh and is on a handy mark

Trainer: Keith Dalgleish
Jockey: Callum Rodriguez
Odds: 25-1

7 Mujtaba

3-3; could evolve into something better than a handicapper; major player

Trainer: William Haggas
Jockey: Cieren Fallon
Odds: 9-2

8 Irish Admiral

Won at Redcar last August but today's race may prove too competitive

Trainer: William Haggas
Jockey: Stevie Donohoe
Odds: 22-1

9 Saleymm

2-2 on AW, both easily; could play a leading role if transferring improvement back to turf

Trainer: Simon and Ed Crisford
Jockey: Ross Coakley
Odds: 13-2

10 Revich

Sixth in this last year when not enjoying the clearest of runs; an each-way possible

Trainer: Richard Spencer
Jockey: Marco Ghiani
Odds: 40-1

11 Darkness

Absent since last June but new trainer does very well with French recruits

Trainer: David O'Meara
Jockey: Jason Watson
Odds: 8-1

12 Fame And Acclaim

Beaten on last 13 starts but has had wind op since last time and he's feasibly handicapped

Trainer: Les Eyre
Jockey: Lewis Edmunds
Odds: 33-1

13 Ametist

Third in Cambridgeshire when last seen; remains lightly raced and could have more to offer

Trainer: William Haggas
Jockey: Rossa Ryan
Odds: 10-1

14 Another Batt

Won over 7f here when last seen last October but he's never scored beyond that trip

Trainer: David and Nicola Barron
Jockey: Connor Beasley
Odds: 33-1

15 Scottish Summit

Some placed form here last season but merely mid-division in this; others more compelling

Trainer: Geoffrey Harker
Jockey: PJ McDonald
Odds: 80-1

16 United Front

Well handicapped on AW form but his record on grass is nothing like so good

Trainer: Mick Appleby
Jockey: Theodore Ladd (3)
Odds: 28-1

17 Notre Belle Bete

2-2 on AW for new yard; this is much tougher but he could have more left in the tank

Trainer: Andrew Balding
Jockey: David Probert
Odds: 11-1

18 Eagleway

Won two starts ago but it'll be tough for him to defy his current mark in this hot contest

Trainer: Ivan Furtado
Jockey: Joey Haynes
Odds: 100-1

19 Hortzadar

Third in this on last year's reappearance but patchy campaign subsequently

Trainer: David O'Meara
Jockey: Cam Hardie
Odds: 28-1

20 Teodolina

Absent since Royal Ascot but this hold-up filly should be suited by the strong pace

Trainer: Richard Hannon
Jockey: John Egan
Odds: 33-1

21 Rogue Bear

Needs another step forward to land hat-trick on reappearance but he's very lightly raced

Trainer: Tom Clover
Jockey: David Egan
Odds: 14-1

22 Broken Spear

Won big-field 7f Class 3 handicap here last November but this could prove too tough

Trainer: Tony Coyle
Jockey: Jonny Peate (7)
Odds: 100-1

The verdict

The step up to a mile could be a plus for Modern News and the Godolphin four-year-old earns the vote ahead of the unbeaten Mujtaba.

If you want more on the return of the Flat:

Doncaster's Spring Mile to go ahead despite not meeting race conditions criteria

Six horses who catch the eye on Saturday – including one with Group 1 potential

Five apprentices who can make a name for themselves on the Flat this season

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