29th March 2017

Hi ,

Well this Saturday sees the start of the turf flat season at Doncaster with the highlight the big betting Lincoln handicap plus the Broclesby stakes for two year olds making their debuts.

The Lincoln has been run since the eighteen fifties but moved to its new home in Yorkshire when the old course at Lincoln was closed in 1964. Of course we know that the Lincoln is the first leg of the historic Spring double with the Aintree Grand National being the second leg.

In a hundred and fifty years of history only one jockey has ridden both winners and that was Dave Dick in 1956 where he achieved the second leg on E.S.B. when the Queen Mothers Devon Loch slipped fifty yards from the winning post giving victory to Dicks mount.

Many fortunes have been won and lost on these two historic races over the years and as promised Howies Hottie will advise a bet on the great races.

As for the Lincoln I’m going for Master Carpenter trained by Rod Millman and to be ridden by Lulu Stanford claiming 5lb. The colt has dropped a fair bit in the ratings but he was placed in some high class events last year plus he does come to hand early having won first time out as a two year old. The current best price is 40/1 with bet365.

The National is more of a puzzle because of non runners as my strongest fancy is top weight Carlingford Lough however Owner J.P. McManus has numerous entries and might decide to save him for the Irish equivalent the week after. So that leaves my other two possibles Saint Are who was 2nd in the race two years ago and Wonderful Charm who finished strongly in the Foxhunters at Cheltenham and will be ridden by Katie Walsh.

I have come down in favour of Saint Are with his Aintree Knowledge and he will be ridden by the excellent Davy Russell. Saint Are is currently 50/1 with Bet Victor. As far as staking my ideas are 2 x £2 e.w. singles and £1 e.w. double for a total stake of a tenner.

However if Carlingford Lough does take his chance at Aintree miss him at your peril.

HOT HANDICAPPERS

FLAT

Justice Rock trainer P.McEntee - Low grade sprinter on a fair mark.

Normal Equilibrium trainer I.Furtado - Has dropped to a very tempting rating.

Ulysses trainer R.Becket - Not had many runs and can improve when handicapping.

Isharah trainer M.Johnston - Might be better at under 2 miles.

Back next Wednesday be lucky.

Howard Davis-Shaw.

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