Ireland / Timeform / 25 March 2012 /

It's the start of the Flat turf season in Ireland, and the Irish Lincolnshire Handicap looks as competitive as ever. Timeform take you through the runners...

Defining Year won a competitive 3-y-o handicap on this card last year and largely creditable efforts afterwards, finishing second in listed events on last 2 starts. Not obviously well treated.

Hujaylea was winless in 2011 but runs his race more often than not. Placed on 1 of his 4 starts in Meydan this year and goes well for this claimer but has never won from a mark in 100's.

Northern Rocked didn't do a lot wrong last season, winning twice and making the frame on 7 other occasions, and is now 1 lb lower than when last seen in a handicap. Yet to prove quite as effective at 1m.

Sharestan looked a smart prospect when landing a 22-runner C&D maiden last June but failed to land the odds in 1¼m minor event at Fairyhouse. Handicapper hasn't taken any chances but has to be respected.

Take It To The Max did really well for this yard last year, winning 1m handicaps at Hamilton in May, Goodwood in August, Ayr in September and Leopardstown in October. Should be competitive under 9 lb penalty.

Sikara is a lightly-raced filly who won a maiden at Dundalk last April and a fillies handicap with loads to spare at Cork in October. Put up 11 lb for latest win but looks sure to improve again.

Windsor Palace is without a win since landing maiden at 2 yrs and this quirky sort was relegated to pacemaking duties last season. Looks a bit high in the handicap but may well improve for the fitting of blinkers.

Font of Wisdom delivered on previous promise to land uncompetitive maiden with the minimum of fuss at the Galway Festival in July. Not seen out since but has been given a real chance by the handicapper.

Parkers Mill is by High Chaparral and from family of French Derby winner Celtic Swing. Battled well to win 9f Tipperary maiden in April but disappointed in Group 3 the following month. May yet do better.

Billyford was useful at 2/3 yrs (listed placed). Off more than 3 years prior to return but is making up for lost time, rattling up a hat-trick of wins at Dundalk. Edging up the weights but not without a chance.

Whipless took well to the switch to polytrack and fitting of blinkers, winning steadily-run minor event at Dundalk last month. Only sixth there next time and others look better handicapped.

Arabian Spirit is a victim of his own consistency in handicaps, 3 wins a poor return for one of his ability. Ran well more often than not last season and has gone well fresh in the past so has place claims again.

Prince of Fire is a winning hurdler/chaser who has taken well to the AW this year, winning 2 of his 4 starts at Dundalk. Both of those wins were at 1½m, though, so may find things happening a bit quickly here.

Ansaab placed 3 times in maidens prior to winning one over 10.7f at Dundalk in October. That form has worked out quite well, he won't be inconvenienced by drop back in trip, and is on a handy mark.

Drombeg Dawn is a strong-traveller who won this race from a 2 lb higher mark on her reappearance last season. Form tailed off towards the end of the campaign but has a very good record fresh.

If Per Chance was well below his best on turf last year but has held his form well since being switched back to polytrack, winning 1m handicaps in November and last month. Has left Michael Halford since last seen.

Solent Ridge won at Wexford last May and Gowran last September. Below best on the AW of late and has never won off a mark as high as this one.

Scottish Boogie won 3 times in 2010 for Sylvester Kirk in Britain and good third in 1¼m handicap here last June. Very good third over hurdles in December but seemingly amiss last time.

Toufan Express won at Listowel in September and has been placed 3 times at Dundalk since. Not the most consistent and hard to see him winning a race as competitive as this one.

Timeform 1-2-3
1. Font of Wisdom
2. Sikara
3. Arabian Spirit

Timeform View: A typically competitive renewal of this premier handicap is possibly best left to Font of Wisdom who looks to have been alloted a lenient mark for his handicap debut. Sikara and Ansaab are progressive sorts who need to be afforded the utmost respect, whilst the Richard Fahey-trained pair, Take It To The Max and Arabian Spirit, may fare best of the older brigade.
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