Lincoln

Lincoln is worth another chance after an unlucky run in the seven-furlong handicap at Haydock on Saturday.

Dropped in early on by Paddy Piley, he was last of the 13 runners as they rounded the home turn. Still on the bridle, he made nice ground against the inside rail up the home straight but, when he got to the two-furlong pole, he simply had nowhere to go. His rider had no option but to sit still as the leaders came back on top of him and the race developed towards the outside. He moved a little to his right inside the final furlong, but it was all too late. He made ground of sorts when he got into the clear, but he was well beaten in the end, he finished 11th of the 13 runners. He appeared to finish full of running, he is far better than that.

Strange thing to say about a horse who finished 11th of 13, but it is possible that Lincoln would have won this race had he got a gap when he needed one. The winner Predominance did finish off the race strongly, so Lincoln may not have won, but he was travelling well, he could have at least given the winner a race. Third in this race last year off a 2lb higher mark, and second in the Victoria Cup on his next run off the same mark, Mick Channon's horse lost his form after that last season, but he was gelded during the winter, and he could be a really well-handicapped horse now. The Victoria Cup is his obvious target now, seven furlongs is his trip and he goes well at Ascot, and he will be of interest if he takes his chance in that race. He could be under-rated now with another zero in his record.

23^rd April 2016

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