A woman who was walking her dog on the racecourse at Doncaster caused a delay to the final race on Lincoln day. Despite the interruption, the Doncaster team stressed that there was no risk of injury to either the woman or the horses. The woman had no idea that the second division of the 1m2f apprentice handicap was about to start until security staff escorted her off the track.
According to Paul Barker, the Clerk of the Course, the race was already delayed due to a loose horse. When security staff noticed the woman walking her dog on the straight course around the seven-furlong pole, they quickly intervened. Barker explained that while people are allowed to cross the track, they are not allowed to walk along it. It was probably just part of the woman’s daily routine, and she was oblivious to the fact that a race was about to start on the round course. The security staff ensured there was no danger to anyone, and the race started almost ten minutes later than scheduled.
Clerk of the course Paul Barker revealed on Sunday: “The race was late because of a loose horse and then we spotted her walking her dog on the straight course, around the seven-furlong pole.
“It’s common land and people are allowed to cross the track but not walk along it. It was probably part of her daily routine and she was completely oblivious to the fact a race was about to start – that was on the round course and there were no stalls on the straight course.
“We have security staff at the five and six-furlong poles and they quickly went to her and escorted her off. There was never any danger to her or to the horses.”
In the end, Aone Ally won the race, ridden by jockey Connor Planas and trained by Lucinda Russell. Russell, who previously landed a double at the Ayr Gold Cup meeting last September with Flylikeaneagle and Engles Rock, was celebrating her first Flat winners in a while.
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‘The investment has worked’ – Doncaster delighted as prize-money increase coincides with Lincoln boost.
69 horses have been confirmed for Saturday’s heritage handicap because of Doncaster’s investment in the Lincoln.
At the five-day stage last year, there were only 42 confirmations, down from 64 in 2021 and 91 in 2017. However, the race is worth £150,000 this year, up from £100,000, and connections appear to have noticed.
This year, the Lincoln’s consolation race is expected to draw a significantly larger field on the first day of the Flat turf season than it did last year, despite the fact that only nine horses were declared for the Spring Mile—one of which was a non-runner.
Doncaster clerk of the course Paul Barker said: “We’re delighted with the turnout – obviously the increase in prize-money for that race and the Spring Mile has helped. It’s nice to see so many horses standing their ground and we’ll look forward to seeing how many stay in on Thursday.
“After the increase to the prize fund, the Spring Mile is worth only £25,000 less than last year’s Lincoln. The investment has worked for us and we’re more than happy with where we stand. The whole card looks very good and we’ve had increased numbers in the Brocklesby too, so I’m really pleased.”
One of the 69 confirmations was the ante-post favorite Al Mubhir, whose Irish Lincolnshire-winning trainer William Haggas is hoping for a famous double to kick off the new Flat season. However, Majestic’s connections will need a little luck because the five-year-old is number 27 in a race with a maximum field of 22 and is a 10-1 shot. Glorious furnished Mick Channon with his last huge race victor when he won the Cambridgeshire at Newmarket in September and his child Jack is trusting he could be a springboard to a fruitful mission.
After a successful winter campaign at Meydan with Dubai World Cup runner-up Algiers, Simon and Ed Crisford will be looking to Awaal to kick off their British season in style. In 2022, they had their best season together.
On his final run of the year, the four-year-old easily won a Redcar handicap, winning two of his four starts in his debut season. Given that his Redcar victory came on heavy ground, his connections will be pleased by a wet forecast since he has been gelded over the winter.
Baradar is another prominent figure in the ante-post market for a stable that was another to enjoy a productive winter in the Middle East with Al Dasim. He won his debut for George Boughey in November over seven furlongs at Doncaster.
The Lincoln that was held the previous year was run on good to soft ground, but Barker anticipates heavy rain throughout the week.
“We are currently soft, good to soft in places after a nice dry day,” he said. “It’ll probably be that way tomorrow morning before the showers start midday, and that’ll be with us most of the time until Sunday. If we go down the middle range of the expected rain, it’ll be soft ground on Saturday, potentially heavy in places.”
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William Haggas on track for a Lincoln double bid, but well-fancied Cambridgeshire winner to miss out.
Al Mubhir, the pre-post favourite for Saturday’s Lincoln Handicap (3.35 Doncaster), was one of 69 confirmed bets, but Majestic, the Cambridgeshire winner from last season, is not guaranteed a start.
When Lattam stormed home to win the Irish Lincolnshire on Saturday, trainer William Haggas, who trains Al Mubhir, completed the first leg of the Lincoln double and hopes for a famous double.
Al Mubhir, who won a competitive handicap at Haydock in October but hasn’t been seen since, is expected to weigh 9st 2lb in the £77,310 race on Saturday.
However, in a race with a maximum field of 22, Majestic’s connections will need a little luck with the five-year-old number 27 on the list. Majestic is a general 10-1 shot.
When Majestic won the Cambridgeshire at Newmarket in September, he became Mick Channon’s final big-race winner. His son Jack had hoped that Majestic would serve as a springboard for a successful campaign.
Despite the appearances of Muraad, Great Max, Magical Morning, and ante-post fancy Akhu Najla at the five-day stage, he still needs five horses to win.
After a successful winter campaign at Meydan with Dubai World Cup runner-up Algiers, Simon and Ed Crisford will be looking to Awaal to kick off their British season in style. In 2022, they had their best season together.
He won two of his four beginnings in his presentation season, effectively handling a Redcar handicap on his last run of the year. Given that his Redcar victory came on heavy ground, his connections will be pleased by a wet forecast since he has been gelded over the winter.
Al Dasim and George Boughey both had successful winters in the Middle East. Baradar, who won his first start for the stable in November over seven furlongs at Doncaster, is another well-known name in the ante-post market.
He was trained by Johnny Murtagh in the past and was intended for events like the Buckingham Palace Stakes and the Ahonoora Handicap at Galway last summer. Despite his reassessed mark, Boughey will hope that he can cause some damage.
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