Doncaster welcomes in the start of the Flat season today and with the going officially described as Heavy (Soft In Places) ability to handle conditions will be top of most punter’s lists. The Class 2 Spring Mile Handicap at (2.25) is the first handicap of the new season and I am interested in two horses in this race. The first is the Ed Dunlop trained Arthur’s Realm who won this race last year. Arthur’s Realm had his seasonal debut run after 161 days at Newcastle on the Tapeta recently where he ran with credit beaten just 2 3/4 lengths. His ability to handle soft conditions and his strong course form place him high up on the list for selection. Arthur’s Realm really caught the eye at Thirsk last year recording a very big speed figure (114) when drawn widest of all in stall 16. A little bit keen early on Oisin Orr dropped him in at the rear before making good headway 3 furlongs out and passing all bar the winner Empirestateofmind at the finish. I was a little bit disappointed with his performance at Doncaster 43 days later where he still finished a creditable third behind Atrium who is fancied for today’s Lincoln handicap at 3.35. Arthur’s Realm finished out his season unplaced at York over the extended 7 furlongs 192 yard trip. Hopefully he can get back to winning ways today at a track he has done well at in the past with Oisin Orr back on board.

My second selection in the race is the Julie Camacho trained Titian. While it may appear that Titian would prefer a longer trip than today’s there are certain factors that make him of interest. Firstly is his winning form on a Soft surface at this track and at York following a wind operation last October. His return at Wolverhampton over the extended 9 furlongs this February, was very encouraging in a very fast time, indicating that he may just be very favourably treated off a handicap mark of (85). I am willing to forgive his latest run at Newcastle 17 days later after such a big performance, when keen early on, and the fact that he may just be best fresh.

The big handicap race of the day is the Lincoln at (3.35) and I am also interested in two horses for this race. The first is the Simon & Ed Crisford trained Awaal who is still quite lightly raced and was very impressive when last seen winning easily at Redcar on Heavy ground last October. Awaal travelled strongly throughout that contest and took up the lead over a furlong from home before winning very well by 3 3/4 lengths in a decent time. What impressed me most, apart from how Awaal travelled, was when he was asked to quicken at the finish he found another gear to go further clear.

My second selection in the Lincoln is the Harriet Bethell trained Yanifer who recorded a very fast time in bottomless ground at Catterick at the back end of last year over 7 furlongs off a handicap mark of (86). This horse has been improving fast since he won at Doncaster also over 7 furlongs last summer off a mark of (71). His seasonal debut last month at Wolverhampton after 137 days off was very encouraging from a wide draw in stall 13 over the extended mile. A little bit keen early on Yanifer was held up in the rear before making headway on the outside at the halfway stage and keeping on at the finish from a wide trip. There may be a case that the horse’s best form is over 7 furlongs but I can’t resist an interest with the ground the way it is today and the leaps in improvement the horse is making.

BEST BETS (1-5 POINTS)