Lincoln Handicap: Timeform's runner-by-runner guide

1. Another Batt (George Scott/Cameron Noble (5))
Made winning return at Meydan (by length from Top Score) in January and unsuited by drop in trip there last two starts. Stays 1m but looks to have tough task off top weight.

2. Safe Voyage (John Quinn/Jason Hart)
Ran only three times in 2018, winning at Haydock and Galway (by neck from Danielsflyer). Below form when 10¼ lengths fifteenth of 20 to Sharja Bridge in Balmoral Handicap at Ascot final start. Stays 8.5f but best form over shorter.

3. Masham Star (Mark Johnston/Andrew Breslin (5))
Won handicaps at Windsor and Redcar, and Group 3 Premio Ribot at Rome (by 4½ lengths from Villabate) in very busy 2018. Creditable 2 lengths sixth of 13 to Zwayyan at Wolverhampton last time. Usually races close up.

4. Aquarium (Mark Johnston/Franny Norton)
Successful 5 times in 2018, including at Epsom, Nottingham and York. Not added to tally in four starts this year but better effort when 1¾ lengths fifth of 13 to Zwayyan at Wolverhampton last time, making late headway after missing the break. Usually slowly away.

5. Zwayyan (Andrew Balding/Silvestre De Sousa)
Smart handicapper who produced career best on return when winning 13-runner event at Wolverhampton last time by length from Breden, going without regular headgear. Respected under 5 lb penalty.

6. Auxerre (Charlie Appleby/James Doyle)
Half-brother to three winners, including smart winner up to 1m Hero Look (2-y-o 6f/7f winner) and useful winner up to 1½m Isabel de Urbina. Won minor events at Haydock and Chelmsford (by 1½ lengths from Gaudi) in 2018. Improved in first-time cheekpieces when completing hat-trick in 9-runner handicap at Kempton last time by ½ length from Piece of History. Will go on improving and looks a potential Group horse in a handicap.

7. Saltonstall (Adrian McGuinness, Ireland/R. P. Whelan)
Second in 2018 Irish Lincolnshire last term and produced smart effort when winning at the Curragh (by length from Master Speaker) in 2018. Below form last three starts, then sold from Mick Halford for €44,000. Acts on any ground and well-backed in the lead up to this race, so reason to expect better for shrew new connections. Only 2 lb higher than his Curragh win and rates a big player.

8. South Seas (Philip Kirby/Jamie Spencer)
Best effort in 2018 when fourth at Chester (2½ lengths behind Baraweez), and had excuses (in first-time cheekpieces) when 5¼ lengths tenth of 20 to Sharja Bridge in Balmoral Handicap at Ascot final start, left with too much to do, Sold from Andrew Balding for 150,000 guineas later in October. Interesting outsider.

9. Silver Quartz (Archie Watson/Edward Greatrex)
Won minor event at Windsor and handicap at Ascot in 2018, and matched that form when third in minor event at Wolverhampton in February. Below that level behind Zwayyan there last time, though, finding little. Something to prove now.

10. Waarif (David O'Meara/C.J. McGovern (3))
Won at Carlisle, Pontefract (optional claiming event), Ripon and Ayr (by length from Fire Brigade) in 2018, but below form when 4¾ lengths ninth of 20 to Sharja Bridge in Balmoral Handicap at Ascot final outing. Usually consistent, but may find a few better handicapped.

11. Chiefofchiefs (Charlie Fellowes/Harry Bentley)
Won at Kempton (by neck from Family Fortunes) in January and not far off that level in two starts since, fourth in listed race at Lingfield (5 lengths behind Wissahickon) in February before another stiff task when 7 lengths fifth to same rival in Winter Derby at Lingfield last time. Could run well at a price.

12. Breden (Linda Jewell/Graham Lee)
Won at Newbury, Kempton and Chelmsford (by length from Brittanic) in 2018 and has held his form well this winter, back to best when length second of 13 to Zwayyan at Wolverhampton last time. Often travels strongly.

13. Chatez (Alan King/Adam Kirby)
Very lightly raced in recent seasons. Best effort in 2018 when second at Newbury (½ length behind Dukhan). Always behind (far too keen) in competitive handicap hurdle when last seen in December.

14. Ripp Orff (David Elsworth/Hayley Turner)
Very Fruitful 2018, wins including minor event at Kempton, Victoria Cup (Handicap) at Ascot, and handicaps at Newmarket and Ascot (by ½ length from Cape Byron). Run best excused in optional claiming handicap at Doncaster final start, unsuited by racing in smaller group. Big chance.

15. Kynren (David Barron/Robert Winston)
Series of creditable efforts in 2018, placed on four occasions including respectable 2 lengths fifth of 20 to Sharja Bridge in Balmoral Handicap at Ascot final start. Starts campaign on a handy mark and hails from a yard that are showing signs of turning the corner after a quiet spell.

16. Wahash (Richard Hannon/Tom Marquand)
Won at Lingfield (by length from My Target) in 2018. Shaped as if in need of the run after seven months off when 4¼ lengths tenth of 13 to Zwayyan at Wolverhampton last time. Better expected here.

17. Raydiance (Karl Burke/Clifford Lee)
Unexposed sort who was second in minor event at Thirsk (neck behind Mankib) on three-year-old reappearance. Largely below form after, including in first-time cheekpieces final start. Has been gelded and trainer does well here, so no surprise to see an improved effort at big odds.

18. Humbert (David O'Meara/David Nolan)
Won at Wolverhampton, Kempton and Newcastle (by neck from Dark Red) in 2018, and also second in Spring Mile on this card, though tailed off towards end of season, well held in Balmoral Handicap at Ascot final start. Has since left Hugo Palmer and joined a shrewd yard, so likely to be back to near his best here. Front runner/races prominently.

19. Third Time Lucky (Richard Fahey/Tony Hamilton)
Won at York (by 2¼ lengths from Lamloom) in 2018 and as good as ever when 1¾ lengths third of 13 to Zwayyan at Wolverhampton on reappearance earlier this month. Probably handicapped to the hilt.

20. Ventura Knight (Mark Johnston/P. J. McDonald)
Won at Doncaster, Hamilton and Ayr in 2018: Outran 33/1 odds when 2¼ lengths seventh of 13 to Zwayyan at Wolverhampton last time, despite going with little fluency. Acts on any ground but all wins in small fields.

21. Great Prospector (Richard Fahey/Paul Hanagan)
No win since debut success at Nottingham in June 2017. Third in listed race at Redcar (¾ length behind Tabarrak) in October, best effort in 2018. No chance from position when 2 lengths fifth of 8 to Breathless Times in minor event at Lingfield final start. Looks up against it.

22. Beringer (Alan King/Andrea Atzeni)
Won at Leicester and Sandown in 2018 and showed improved form when placed on next three starts, notably when second at York (¾ length behind Wissahickon, pair clear) on fourth outing. Below form when last seen in August, possibly finding busy spell catching up with him. Strong traveller, and looks well worth another try at this sort of trip now dropped in distance.