John Gosden hands star apprentice the plum ride on fancied Haqeeqy in Lincoln

John Gosden has added some extra spice to the first day of the Flat turf season at Doncaster on Saturday by handing his 7lb claiming apprentice Benoit de la Sayette the responsibility of partnering well-backed second favourite Haqeeqy in the Unibet Lincoln.

The ride on the sponsors' 7-2 chance – as big as 8-1 at the weekend – became available after Dane O'Neill, who is retained to ride for owner Hissa Hamdan Al Maktoum, was unable to return from Bahrain in time to take the mount due to Covid-19 restrictions.

De la Sayette, who rode his first winner as recently as December 28 at Newcastle, has since ridden a further eight on the all-weather but will find a 22-runner cavalry charge on turf a much different test.

Formerly a top pony rider in Britain and France, the 18-year-old has plenty of experience of riding work on turf at Clarehaven Stables alongside fellow jockeys Rab Havlin, Martin Harley, Kieran O'Neill and Nicky Mackay.

Haqeeqy: well backed for Doncaster Saturday highlightCredit: David Davies (Getty Images)

Richard Hills, assistant racing manager to the Shadwell operation, said: "Dane O'Neill was supposed to come over to ride Haqeeqy as he won on him twice last year but he’s stuck in Bahrain at the moment in isolation. Our number one rider Jim Crowley is riding at Meydan and Rab Havlin will be at Kempton so we had to look elsewhere.”

He added: "The horse is a nice ride for an apprentice and has been working nicely on Waterhall. I've seen Benoit ride through the winter and rode work with him last year and he rides very well. John has looked after him well and he wouldn't be putting him on Haqeeqy in a big race like the Lincoln if he didn't think he could do the job."

Unibet Lincoln racecard and betting

Only two apprentices have won the Lincoln in the past 25 years – O'Neill on Stone Ridge in 1996 when claiming 5lb and Darren Egan, who claimed 3lb when scoring on Levitate in 2013.

Johan heads the weights for Saturday's feature on Town Moor after 64 horses stayed in at Monday's confirmation stage, with a maximum field of 22 runners permitted.

The Charlie Appleby-trained Eastern World is the 3-1 ante-post favourite following his victory at Meydan last month, with Haqeeqy, Brentford Hope, King Ottokar and River Nymph the others available at single-figure odds.

Paddy Power are among those to see support for Haqeeqy since the announcement of his jockey. Spokesman Paul Binfield said: “Haqeeqy ran a fine trial for the Lincoln when scoring at Town Moor over a furlong less in September. John Gosden is a fine judge of a horseman as his association with the likes of Frankie and William Buick over the years shows and Benoit in the saddle has, if anything, encouraged punters as he’s now on an almost identical mark to his last win."

He added: “It would be no surprise to see Haqeeqy go off favourite, while another for money is last season’s dual scorer River Nymph who is 7-1 [from 16].”

If you want more on the return of the Flat . . .

What you need to know for the return of the turf at Doncaster this weekend

First-season sires in Brocklesby and Ghaiyyath's brother among Doncaster entries

John and Thady Gosden to start new joint-licence era on Saturday

'Born to be a top jockey' – Benoit De La Sayette lands first career victory

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