William Haggas eyes historic Lincoln win with strong team primed for Doncaster

The unbeaten Mujtaba will head a powerful team for William Haggas when the trainer bids to enhance his astonishing record in the SBK Lincoln (3.35) at Doncaster on Saturday.

Haggas, who has three possibles for the £100,000 heritage handicap with Irish Admiral and Ametist joining ante-post joint-favourite Mujtaba, has had just six runners in the race since 2000 yet he has won it three times in that period.

Addeybb, his last winner in 2018, has gone on to score four times in Group 1 company, including in the Champion Stakes at Ascot in October 2020.

Haggas also won the race in 1992 and a fifth victory would make him the most successful trainer in the history of the Lincoln, which was first run in 1853.

Addeybb: won the Lincoln in 2018 before going on to become a global superstarCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

The Shadwell-owned Mujtaba has been backed into a best-priced 9-2 in recent weeks, having won his three races at Chepstow, Chester and Redcar last season.

"Mujtaba is a nice horse and he's unexposed so who knows?" Haggas said. "The other two are pretty exposed but talented.

"He's nowhere near Addeybb yet and I'm not saying he ever will be, but he could be a bit better than a handicapper if he goes the right way."

3.35 Doncaster Saturday: SBK Lincoln racecard and betting

A total of 42 horses stood their ground at Monday's five-day confirmation stage, with Roger Varian opting to scratch Tinker Toy and La Tihaty from the race.

The Charlie Appleby-trained Modern News is challenging Mujtaba and Saleymm for favouritism, but the trainer took out his other entry, Valiant Prince, while Kingman's brother Sunray Major was another notable absentee.

Newmarket-based Haggas was born in Yorkshire and added of the Lincoln: "It's a nice, valuable prestigious race to have a runner and if we have the right type we like to have a go at it.

"We're juggling riding plans. Tom Marquand is in Dubai so I hope Cieren Fallon, Adam Farragher and Stevie Donohoe will ride for us, but I don't know who will ride what yet."

SBK Lincoln (Doncaster, March 26)

Coral: 4-1 Mutjaba, 9-2 Modern News, 5-1 Saleymm, 10-1 Notre Belle Bete, 12-1 Darkness, Brunch, 14-1 Ametist, 16-1 Carolus Magnus, 20-1 bar

Read these next:

Rising apprentice star handed plum ride on Godolphin's Lincoln favourite

The Flat is back! Lincoln and Dubai World Cup headline a super Saturday

Top Australian sprinter Artorius primed for raids on Royal Ascot and Newmarket

The Front Runner is our latest email newsletter available exclusively to Members' Club Ultimate subscribers. Chris Cook, a four-time Racing Reporter of the Year award winner, provides his take on the day's biggest stories and tips for the upcoming racing every morning from Monday to Friday