Lincoln

Lincoln (the horse) faded away to finish 21st of the 22 runners in the Lincoln (the handicap) at Doncaster on Saturday, but he is still a horse worth noting when he is dropped down in trip.

It was always going to be a big ask for the front-runner Lincoln to lead all the way in this big-field handicap run over a straight stiff mile, given that he is a confirmed front-runner and that his stamina for the trip was in doubt. Even so, Mick Channon’s horse showed a lot of speed through the first three furlongs of the race, he was clear passing the three-furlong pole and he looked a danger to all. He did start to paddle, however, just inside the two-furlong pole, he was passed before he reached the furlong pole, and he faded through the final furlong as he was passed by all of his rivals except one.

It was worth a try to see if he would stay a mile, however unlikely that prospect was. His three wins were over seven furlongs, and he had never been tried over a mile or more before Saturday.

He progressed in late summer and early autumn last season. Second over six furlongs at Nottingham in July off a mark of 86, he finished a good fourth in a decent handicap run over an extended seven furlongs at Chester in August off a mark of 88. Then he won his next two, both races run in September, both over seven furlongs, at Doncaster and Chester off marks of 88 and 91 respectively, making all the running in the latter contest. Those two runs are the two best runs of his life.

By Clodovil our of a Compton Place mare who won over five furlongs, Lincoln will surely drop back down to seven furlongs now. He will be of interest wherever he goes now, as long as he is dropped down in trip. He could even be fast enough to be effective over six furlongs, and his handicap rating of 97 is very workable. He can resume the upward curve on which he finished off last season now dropped in trip.

28th March 2015