Six horses who could light up opening day at Doncaster

Saturday's Lincoln meeting at Doncaster ushers in the Flat turf season. We look at six horses who can get the new campaign off to a flyer.

Ballet Concerto Spring Mile

A four-year-old who got better as the season went on last year, Ballet Concerto looks the type with whom Sir Michael Stoute often does so well. He has been gelded over the winter, and could make up into a Pattern performer by the end of the season.

Morando Betway Lincoln

This year's favourite has the potential to develop into more than a handicapper, given his highly progressive profile last season. Roger Varian's four-year-old won three in a row, and was then far from disgraced when seventh in the valuable Balmoral Handicap on Qipco Champions day behind Yuften, who is set to reoppose. With only five career starts, Morando could be anything.

Bravery Betway Lincoln

Last year David O'Meara had the talking horse for the race with French import Lord Of The Land, and this time around he has another interesting recruit in Bravery. A 400,000gns purchase as a yearling, the four-year-old only managed a maiden win in Dundalk when with Aidan O'Brien, but he now joins O'Meara, who has a proven track record of improving horses joining from other yards.

Stormy Antarctic drives through a storm to win the 2016 Craven StakesCredit: Mark Cranham

Stormy Antarctic Doncaster Mile

This Ed Walker-trained colt thrust himself into the 2,000 Guineas reckoning with victory in a rain-sodden Craven Stakes 12 months but failed to build on that, even though he was Group 1-placed in France. With the possibility of ground on the softer side he could well help himself to another valuable early-season prize, even if he may ultimately prove slightly below top class once again.

Birchwood Betway Cammidge Trohpy

While he failed to trouble the likes of Limato last season, the Richard Fahey-trained four-year-old is a smart performer in his own right and the best could be yet to come. I appears connections may be shifting their focus from races over seven furlongs or more, which may mean he is showing enough speed at home to be considered a viable sprinting prospect.

Dubawi Prince Betway Maiden Stakes

This meeting is all about what might be and Dubawi Prince is the type of horse who represents that eternal optimism. Roger Varian trains this colt, who cost a tidy 725,000gns as a yearling and holds an entry in the Irish Derby. He failed to get his head in front in a couple of maidens late last season but it would not be the biggest shock to see him improve with age.