Timeform Weekend Preview

Features / Timeform / 26 March 2010 / Leave a comment

Tax Free makes a welcome return in the Cammidge Trophy at Doncaster

For all those fanatical about everything Flat, rejoice, for this weekend sees the curtain raised on the British Flat turf season, an event which is highlighted by the handicap puzzle that is the Lincoln. While new beginnings are heralded in Britain, it is a fond farewell to the first Dubai Carnival to be held at the spectacular Meydan, where a veritable galaxy of equine stars compete for some of the richest prizes in racing.

"Tax Free very rarely throws in a bad run (Ascot aside) and his record over six furlongs is excellent. In ten runs he has only failed to place twice, and both of those came at Nad Al Sheba."

First run in 1853, the Lincoln has long been the traditional starting point for the British Flat season, providing punters with a real test straight out of the gate, and this year's renewal looks as competitive as ever. William Haggas has a good record in the race, successful in 1992 with High Low and then again in 2007 with Very Wise, and he trains the red-hot favourite Penitent this year. Representing Cheveley Park Stud and being ridden by Irish champion jockey Johnny Murtagh, Penitent seems to tick all the right boxes. The race in recent years has gone the way of some younger, more progressive types, with Expresso Star, last year's winner a prime example; and it is again the four-year-olds that dominate the ante-post market. Mull of Killough and Tiger Reigns are closely matched on form from their three-year-old campaigns and both have the profile to suggest that they may have it in them to improve past some of the handicap veterans. Among those flying the flag for the older generation is Extraterrestrial, who ran a blinder in the Spring Mile over course and distance last season, and went on to land the Spring Cup at Newbury and a valuable prize at Ayr later on in the season. Collateral Damage reeled off six wins at the back end of last season, and has shown in the past he is capable of winning in March.

Punters will be watching the first race on the card, the Spring Mile over the Lincoln course and distance to try to gain any clues to draw bias for the big event later on. Unsurprisingly, this race has a very similar profile to the Lincoln and it is worth noting that four-year-olds have taken eight of the last ten runnings.

For those looking for familiar faces to ease them into the new season, look no further than the Cammidge Trophy , where plenty of hardened sprinters will flex their muscles in an interesting affair. Tax Free very rarely throws in a bad run (Ascot aside) and his record over six furlongs is excellent. In ten runs he has only failed to place twice, and both of those came at Nad Al Sheba. He will certainly be there at the finish, and he is partnered by Francis Norton who has a 100% strike rate on the horse. Prime Defender won this race last year, and has an excellent record on his first outings in Britain (2241). He hasn't been running up to his best in Dubai, but he may well be primed for a repeat bid here. Star Rover is the sole three-year-old in the race, and he recorded four straight victories at the start of last season, so could go well fresh again.

It seems only right to leave Meydan to the experts (see the Dubai section), but Dubai World Cup night should be something to really savour, and, with a British based winner of the big race a real possibility, it should make for exciting viewing.

Saturday sees all-weather action at Kempton, whilst Jumps enthusiasts can get their fill with meetings at Newbury, Bangor, Stratford and Navan

It's Guineas Trials day at Leopardstown on Sunday , while the Flat action continues at Doncaster and the jumpers do their thing at Wincanton, Downpatrick and Hexham.

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