Each-way value in the English Lincoln and an exclusive BoyleSports Irish customer offer

For those of us who live by the racing calendar rather than meteorological or astronomical markers, the Lincoln Handicap represents spring blossoming and the much-anticipated return of the turf.

Spring has felt like a long time coming this year though, with the Irish Lincoln run on soft ground and today’s English Lincoln set to be staged under similar conditions.

This competitive spring affair is equally frustrating as it is delightful for punters. It is a tough contest to analyse although it offers some fantastic value.

BoyleSports is offering Irish customers the chance to maximise returns on the race with its Doncaster special. You can claim a terrific €50 in free bets and get your money back if your selection finishes 2nd to the SP favourite:

The obvious place to start with the English Lincoln is with trainers who typically have their horses ‘forward’ at this time of year and one of those is the in-form William Haggas, who last week, became the first British-based trainer to land the Irish Lincoln and today saddles the favourite Al Mubhir.

Haggas boasts an excellent record in the Lincoln, having won it four times previously. This son of Frankel was last seen winning on heavy ground at Haydock Park in October so the ground will suit, he’s had a wind op since that victory and will be spot on for today.

Awaal is among market principals and his jockey James Doyle has struck twice in this race in the last five years. Simon and Ed Crisford are flying and came close to enjoying Dubai World Cup success recently. Awaal has never finished out of the first three and has been gelded since his last outing. His back-form is impressive, having beaten Thesis who went on to win at Royal Ascot.

It would not be a surprise if either of the aforementioned were to strike but where is the value?

Further down the betting, the Charlie Hills-trained Wanees has some good form, he beat today’s contender Montassib last time out and has winning form on soft ground, you can be safe in the knowledge that Charlie Hills will have his horses fine-tuned for the start of the Flat season and this four-time winner, who remains on a good handicap mark, represents each-way value at 9-1.

Jimi Hendrix, who finished ahead of Wanees in the Britannia Stakes, is another at an each-way price, currently around the 14-1 mark. Trainer Ralph Beckett has a 19% strike-rate with his horses at Doncaster and is confident this course and distance winner will be suited by the stiff mile and strong pace; while the soft ground should not be a worry. The talented four-year-old had excuses on his last three starts and connections feel: “it is well within him to win a race of this nature then step up.”

The Lincoln is followed by the Listed Doncaster Mile in which Andrew Balding’s Imperial Fighter is a fascinating contender at around 11-2. This is a big drop in class for the four-year-old who has Group form, finishing third in the Group 1 Irish 2,000 Guineas last year and 2nd behind Coroebus in the Group 3 Autumn Stakes. He has recently been gelded and won his maiden on soft ground. At 11-2 under Andrea Atzeni he’s worth a shot.

The Brocklesby Stakes is the British Flat season curtain-raiser for two-year-old sprinters. Amo Racing target this race and this year’s representative is 5-4 favourite Valadero trained by Dominic French-Davis. This Starspangeldbanner colt was a 250,000 yearling although is a very short price at 5-4. For each-way value side with the David Evans-trained Go To Work at 16-1 - jockey Rossa Ryan won this last year on Persian Force and his sire Inns Of Court has been very popular at the sales.