'One step at a time' for highly progressive four-year-old La Tihaty

Saturday: 2.05 Wolverhampton
MansionBet Lincoln Trial Handicap (Class 2) | 1m½f | 4yo+ | ITV4/RTV

Wolverhampton's Lincoln Trial is the appetiser before the main course at Doncaster in two weeks' time and provides the first indication of Flat turf racing's imminent return.

The race can be considered a trial for the big one in name only, however. No winner in the past decade has followed up at Doncaster and of the four horses to attempt the double, 2019 Trial scorer Zwayyan fared best with a seventh-placed finish.

Big Country (16th in 2018), Whispering Warrior (11th in 2014) and Strictly Silver (8th in 2013) also struggled to make an impact subsequently on Town Moor.

With £25,770 on offer to the winner, the Lincoln Trial can be treated as a decent target in its own right and Notre Belle Bette catches the eye on his handicap debut off a mark of 87.

Notre Belle Bette lost his way for Darren Bunyan in Ireland after finishing fourth in a Listed race behind Poetic Flare on his debut and made a winning start for Andrew Balding in February following a gelding operation.

He has drawn wide in stall 11 but a double-figure box hasn't been a deterrent to success in this race as three winners have emerged from stall 10 in the last decade.

Widest of all is hot favourite La Tihaty in stall 12. He is progressing fast and would probably be unbeaten if he wasn't so free on his debut.

La Tihaty bids for a five-timer and trainer Roger Varian has called on the services of 5lb claimer Saffie Osborne for the first time to negate some of the 9lb rise he incurred for winning at Kempton in February.

He won in the manner of a potential Pattern-class performer that day and it is worth considering a related double with Misty Grey in the Lady Wulfruna Stakes later on the card (2.40). She was beaten two and a quarter lengths by La Tihaty but was conceding 11lb.
Race analysis by Robbie Wilders

What they say

Roger Varian, trainer of La Tihaty
He is a nice horse who is progressing. The handicapper didn't take any chances after his last run at Kempton and put him up 9lb, which I thought was a touch harsh. As a result, we're taking 5lb off with Saffie Osborne's claim. Being drawn 12 of 12 is far from ideal, but I'm happy with his condition. The Lincoln is a possible, but he has other options. One step at a time.

Mick Appleby, trainer of United Front, Baldomero and Fox Power
United Front ran very well last time when narrowly beaten by Baldomero at Kempton. He's in great form and should go well again. The track at Wolverhampton may possibly be a bit sharp for him over a mile, and he does have to carry a lot of weight. The plan is to run him in the Lincoln afterwards. Baldomero did it well last time off a low weight. He gets in towards the bottom of the handicap once again and I think he's got a very good chance. Fox Power won well at Wolverhampton the time before last. He was a bit disappointing subsequently at Newcastle, but is in good order at home. All three have decent enough chances. It's a £50,000 race and well worth targeting with them.

Clive Cox, trainer of Dance Fever
I'm not sure he acted on the track at Southwell last time. He's in very good order. I hope this will give him a good lead into the turf season. He's entered in the Lincoln, but it would have to be dry enough to run him at Doncaster – he's still a high-class performer when he gets his conditions as he showed in the International at Ascot last summer.

David Simcock, trainer of Bless Him
He's in great order and has become well handicapped. Hopefully he'll run a big race.

Geoff Harker, trainer of Scottish Summit
He's in great order and is a lovely old boy who always wears his heart on his sleeve. He's a fit as we can get him at home and hopefully he'll run well at Wolverhampton ahead of a tilt at the Lincoln at Doncaster.

Stuart Williams, trainer of Revolutionise
I'm happy with him. He has run well at Wolverhampton before. It's a tough race, with unexposed runners like La Tihaty in opposition, but we've got a nice draw in stall two and Marco Ghiani is riding in fantastic form. We'll give it a go.
Reporting by Richard Birch

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