The Spring Mile is the first of the big one-mile handicaps at Doncaster on Saturday, acting as a reserve race for the Lincoln later on in the card. A maximum field of 22 has been filled as Joe Napier previews the highly competitive contest.
The four-year-old Look Back Smiling scored for Gemma Tutty last season, continuing the poor record of favourites in the last decade.
NAEPOINT
(Edward Bethell/Kevin Stott)
A son of the speedy Blue Point, Naepoint has nevertheless developed into a miler for Edward Bethell. He won three of his seven starts as a three-year-old last term, including his last two on completely contrasting ground at Redcar over this mile trip.
He was clearly improving at the end of last term, but he was very disappointing on his three-year-old reappearance, while he has also been gelded since his most recent victory. That offseason operation is a slight concern and there may be alternatives, especially with there having been no winning favourites in this race in the last decade.
PRESSURE’S ON
(Ed Dunlop/Rossa Ryan)
Through the entire career of Pressure’s On, there are only one or two blots on his copybook in 15 career starts. However, there are also only two wins, although one of them arrived to conclude last season at Newmarket, and he was second on return at Wolverhampton recently.
He is now on a career high mark, but he started last season well too when second on the Rowley Mile. As a result, a big run could well be in the offing, for all he requires a little more again to be on the scoresheet.
Lincoln Handicap Tips – Warrior To Fight Off His Rivals At Doncaster
A bumper field will head to the 1m start for Saturday’s William Hill Lincoln at Doncaster, which is one of the early season highlights of the Flat season. Off at 3:35pm, our in-house tipster Steve Chambers is here with his preview of the contest on Town Moor and picks out his 1-2-3 for the race……
Thu 27 Mar 2025OCEAN OF DREAMS
(Archie Watson/Hollie Doyle)
Bred in the purple by Coolmore, Ocean Of Dreams is a full brother to Oaks third Alluringly. He was obviously fragile when trained by Aidan O’Brien though, only ever racing three times despite an immensely promising debut where he won by six lengths at Leopardstown.
He is now with Archie Watson after a third and final run for O’Brien saw him finish fourth at Gowran park. In terms of promise, pedigree and even form, he would be among the top contenders here off an opening handicap mark of 90, but whether he will reach the new heights for this new yard having raced so infrequently causes doubt.
OUR HAVANA
(Richard Fahey/Oisin Orr)
Although promising enough in six turf starts for Richard Fahey, it has only been since a switch to the all-weather that Our Havana has seemingly come into his own. He has two wins and a second from four starts at Newcastle and Soutwell, including a 5½-length romp at the latter venue last time out.
He is now rated 96 on the all-weather, but races off just 88 here due to a 5lb penalty for that recent success. He is thrown in if able to transfer that form to turf, but until he does so, he is probably best watched as he was 16th of 17 at York in his last race on grass.
THE FIELD
Last year’s winner Look Back Smiling is down to a mark 1lb lower than when scoring 12 months ago, so has to enter calculations as a horse who goes well fresh. He may prefer a little more cut in the ground, but it would be easy to see him bang there again.
The maiden Promethean could go well as he has promised much off this mark, while experienced performer Farasi Lane is respected, as is outsider One Night Thunder, who did some donkey work from the wrong side of the draw in the Lincoln last year without being disgraced, and is now 4lb lower. Off less of a layoff,Spirit Genie could easily go close too; he is 4lb higher than when sixth in the Lincoln a year ago when arguably given the worst draw, but this should prove an easier race.
ITV Racing Tips – Four Selections as the Flat Takes Over at Doncaster and Kempton on Saturday, 29th March
The flat is back on Saturday, with the first turf races of the flat season taking place at Doncaster. With eight races from Town Moor and Kempton being shown live on ITV, Joe Napier gives four selections worth a wager on the day. 2.25 Doncaster – William Hill Best Odds Guaranteed Cammidge Trophy Stakes (Listed)…
Thu 27 Mar 2025VERDICT
Two runners in the Lincoln a year ago feature prominently in the workings out. A chance is taken on rank outsider ONE NIGHT THUNDER, who led for six of the eight furlongs in the Lincoln last year despite a tough high draw for the renewal. He may have been off for over a year, but he has gone well fresh in his relatively fledgling five-year-old career, and is 4lb lower than for the bigger handicap last season. He does not have to lead, and his middling draw should ensure Clifford Lee can judge the correct route. Most respected are Spirit Genie, Look Back Smiling, Ocean Of Dreams and Farasi Lane.
- One Night Thunder
- Spirit Genie
- Look Back Smiling
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