Fencing fancied for Doncaster Mile

Doncaster heralds the start of the new turf season on the flat on Saturday with the Lincoln Handicap being the highlight of an eight-race-card. The going has changed to soft after heavy rain on Thursday night.

The opening event is the Brocklesby Stakes for two-year-olds at 1.30. Flyball represents the Richard Hannon stable while Bill Turner’s Paddy Again is certain to be well forward.

Escalating is another interesting runner for the combination of Pat Eddery and Tom Queally. Preference is just for the Hannon runner who has the assistance of Jimmy Fortune.

Fencing tops the ratings in the Listed Doncaster Mile at 2.05 for John Gosden. He was a very smart two-year-old but has never quite fulfilled his potential.

He only raced three times last season, winning in this grade at Ascot in May. He disappointed in the Lockinge Stakes and finished sixth at Goodwood on his final start.

The big danger could be Graphic who was very progressive last season. He ran a cracker in the Cambridgeshire last season and went on to victories at York and Nottingham.

The Cammidge Trophy at 2.40 sees Jack Dexter going for a repeat victory for Jim Goldie. The popular five-year-old went on to win a Group 3 at Newcastle and was second in the Group 2 Champions Sprint at Ascot.

Tropics and Heaven’s Guest won big handicaps last season and are making the transition to Listed company. Es Que Love was a model of consistency last summer while Maureen was sixth in the English and Irish 1000 Guineas.

The Spring Mile at 3.15 is for those horses that just missed out on a place in the Lincoln field. Brae Hill is a standing dish at this meeting but Richard Fahey has been quoted as saying he may not be quite as forward this spring.

Dance And Dance was unlucky not to collect a decent prize last season and has star apprentice Oisin Murphy in the saddle. The Lincoln can go the way of Fahey’s Gabrial’s Kaka who won’t mind the soft ground.

Selections: 1.30 Flyball, 2.05 Fencing, 2.40 Jack Dexter, 3.15 Dance And Dance, 3.50 Gabrial’s Kaka, 4.25 Hymenaios, 5.00 My Destination, 5.35 Thecornishcowboy