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Timeform Race Preview: The William Hill Lincoln (Heritage Handicap)

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As ever, there is no racing on Good Friday but Saturday's action more than makes up for it, with eight meetings taking place across England and Ireland. The turf season gets underway at Doncaster with the Lincoln Handicap the highlight of a seven-race card.

The ratings are headed by Vitznau, who flourished last season and finished in the frame in handicaps on his final four starts. His second to Damika at Newmarket last time out, when again finishing strongly having had to weave his way through, was a particularly good effort and he is expected to go close on his first start over a mile.

Another who put up his best effort on his final 3yo start was Smokey Oakey, who demolished his nearest rival by six lengths at Ayr. A strong traveller, he obviously holds every chance here, whilst in the longer term it would be no surprise were he to develop into a smart performer this season.

One who may be open to more improvement after just four races is Yeaman's Hall, who ran well on both his starts after winning a minor event at Sandown on his reappearance last term. His effort off a mark of 103 when seventh to Ordnance Row in the Tote Stakes at the same track was particularly admirable, and providing he's over the injury he suffered after that run, holds strong claims.

Last year's winner (when the race was held at Newcastle) Very Wise wasn't the most consistent following his success but returned to his very best when winning at Newmarket in November, defeating Kinsya by a length and a quarter having travelled strongly throughout. It's not inconceivable that he can improve again this year, though he looks vulnerable to a number of unexposed sorts here.

Rio Riva goes well when fresh and was beaten only a length in this last year having been left with a lot to do. He improved subsequently, winning a handicap back at Newcastle in June in emphatic fashion. Like the majority of his market rivals, he won't mind the forecast softer going and a bold showing is anticipated.

Fajr put up a career-best effort when winning a useful handicap at Lingfield in January, showing a good turn of foot to defeat smart all-weather performer Orchard Supreme by a length and a half. Despite being unsuited by the step up in trip last time he shaped as though still in form and back at a mile here he warrants serious respect.

Fremen thrived last summer, winning three times in five starts in handicaps all over a mile. He lost little in defeat when seventh in the Cambridgeshire over a trip that was too far for him and he'll be fresher than most here, having run three times at the Dubai Carnival. He looks sure to run his race.

Raptor generally ran well throughout last season, finishing fourth in this last year and third to Ventura in a listed race at Kempton. He should have conditions to suit here and could go close at big odds.

Escape Route showed useful form last season, winning at Goodwood before a wide draw put paid to his chances in the Cambridgeshire. He ran creditably on his first two starts at the Dubai Carnival this year, and whilst he certainly posses the ability to win off his current mark, he will more than likely be seen to better effect over further.

Dhaular Dhar had a busy campaign last term, winning just once in seventeen starts, beating Beckermet by a neck in a competitive handicap at Chester in May. Tough and consistent, he has won over a mile earlier in his career but seems to be better at shorter nowadays.

Annemasse progressed into a useful performer as a 3-y-o for Mark Johnston, winning four times before finishing a respectable tenth in the Cambridgeshire on his final start. He makes his debut for a trainer who knows how to get his older horses ready first time out, though it's worth pointing out that he was below form on his only start to date on ground softer than good.

2006 winner Blythe Knight has achieved great success across both codes and was better than ever on the level last season, winning a listed handicap at York and the Group 3 Diomed Stakes at Epsom. He was well beaten in the Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival last time and despite the presence of claimer Barry McHugh, taking off 7 lb, he still looks up against it off his revised weight.

Another dual-purpose performer is European Dream who finished a good second over hurdles at Sandown in January before disappointing on both his starts at the Dubai Carnival. He won four handicaps on turf last season and whilst he can't be ruled out here, he's a difficult one to predict.

Classic Port was entered whilst trained by Michael Wigham who is currently serving a 35-day suspension. The former Andre Fabre-trained colt will be in the care of John Ryan for the race and shaped encouragingly on his debut in Britain when finishing fourth to Re Barolo in the Lincoln Trial at Wolverhampton a fortnight ago. There's a chance he'll improve for the run but he'll have to in order to overcome his mark of 102.

Azarole was a smart performer at his best, though comes here on the back of a losing run which stretches back over two years. Making his first start for Jane Chapple-Hyam, he's far from straightforward and isn't one to be backing with any confidence.

Irish raider Little White Lie shaped as if needing the race on his reappearance when sixth in a handicap at Dundalk a fortnight ago. He will surely benefit from that run, though looks to have something to find with the main contenders and is yet to prove himself over a mile.

A number of the field are making their reappearances after long lay offs. Prince Forever has been limited to just three starts in his career and finished third to subsequent Jersey Stakes winner Tariq in a listed race at Newmarket on his only start last season. This will be his first start over a mile, and whilst he's obviously open to further improvement, his habit of racing freely could prove costly in a race as competitive as this. Three who should come on for the run are the inconsistent Temple Place, Clipperdown, who returns to Britain having raced in the U.S since 2006, and Watamu, who improved when winning at Lingfield when last seen, beating subsequent Lincoln victor Very Wise by three lengths.

Babodana, hasn't won since successful in this back in 2004 and although coming down in the weights as a result, showed little last season to suggest he'll be a force here. The line up is completed by the 10-y-o Mine, who probably needs to come down in the weights in order to have a say in handicaps like this nowadays.