Alarm bells ringing for bookies as punters plunge on Fire Brigade for Lincoln

Fire Brigade had the alarm bells ringing for bookmakers on Tuesday, with plenty of punters believing Ryan Moore's mount can hose up in the 32Red Lincoln on Saturday.

The Michael Bell-trained contender was cut to 6-1 favourite by most firms, having been a double-figure price in the morning, and in the formidable figure of Moore he has a jockey who came within a neck of costing the betting industry an estimated £40 million on the first day of the Flat season last year.

Punters' pal Moore won the first three races at Doncaster for a 575-1 treble but was just denied a first success in the Lincoln when heavily backed favourite Oh This Is Us was edged out by Bravery.

After some uncertainty a few weeks ago over whether Fire Brigade would beat the cut, the four-year-old is now 21st on the list for a race with a safety limit of 22, and Bell is hoping the improving type "can put a smile on Ryan Moore's face".

The Newmarket trainer has not had much luck with the few previous runners he has had in the straight mile contest but is hopeful he has a candidate with the right profile this time.

Fire Brigade, who is nicknamed Nee-Naw at Fitzroy Stables, won four races last season and finished third behind one of this weekend's big market rivals Addeybb in the Silver Cambridgeshire at Newmarket in September.

Bell said: "We've not had that many runners in the Lincoln over the years but I hope we do better than the last time we had the favourite, which was Solar Storm, who broke down when jumping out of the stalls.

"Fire Brigade hasn't missed a day this winter and I've been very happy with his preparation. He's bang on his racing weight and he likes soft ground so plenty of boxes are ticked. Hopefully we can put a smile on Ryan's face on Saturday."

Moore must also fancy his chances of a first victory in the race as his agent rang up for the ride in February.

A year ago there were shades of Frankie Dettori's Magnificent Seven as Moore reeled off the first three races, before his narrow defeat in the Lincoln meant a betting industry swing estimated at £40 million. Pat Cooney of bet365 called it "the biggest swing in our history – Annie Power’s fall at Cheltenham a distant second”.

Moore had two other bookings for Saturday as of Tuesday afternoon: What's The Story in the 32Red.com Spring Mile and Intern in the Unibet Doncaster Mile, races that precede the big handicap.

New Lincoln sponsor 32Red quote Fire Brigade at 6-1, as do Coral, whose spokesman David Stevens said: "Fire Brigade ended last season on a high and has always been towards the head of our betting. Following some interesting support today, and with Ryan Moore booked, we've trimmed his odds in to 6-1 from 8-1, meaning he's replaced Lord Glitters as favourite."

Moore rode Addeybb to win the Silver Cambridgeshire, but the four-year-old is now to be partnered by James Doyle.

Trainer William Haggas has already given his charge one recent outing at a racecourse, having sent him for a gallop at Chelmsford last Tuesday.

He said: "All is well with Addeybb and we expect him to run a nice race."

As well as the Lincoln, Lord Glitters has the option of the preceding Doncaster Mile.

Lord Glitters (right) wins the Balmoral Handicap under Danny Tudhope at Ascot last OctoberCredit: Charlie Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Trainer David O'Meara said: "I don't think running Lord Glitters on bottomless ground carrying joint top weight holds much appeal and it could be he runs in the Listed race, although we'll make a decision later in the week. He has form on soft ground but I don't think he wants it too testing."

Horses who do need soft ground should be in luck as Town Moor is still recovering from the effects of the mini Beast from the East.

Clerk of the course Roderick Duncan reported on Tuesday: "The track is in good shape considering the winter we've had. There's still some snow around, although not on the course itself.

"It's soft at the moment and I don't expect it to dry out that much, especially as we're forecast some showers later in the week. The Lincoln is a week closer to the November Handicap this year, which is a one-year-in-seven event, and we're starting early enough."

32Red Lincoln Handicap, card, form and betting

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