Auxerre, trained by Charlie Appleby and ridden by James Doyle, will go to post at Doncaster on Saturday as the ante-post market favourite in The Lincoln (3.35).
“Auxerre is a very relaxed horse and has a great attitude, which is a plus point for a race like the Lincoln,” said Doyle, who opted to miss the Dubai World Cup in Meydan to take the mount for the one-mile £100,000 handicap at the start of the 2019 British Flat season.
“Auxerre is a nice, big scopey type with a very progressive profile. He hasn’t done a lot wrong in his career,” said Doyle.
“I flew back to England for a couple of weeks in the winter to ride out – and had a sit on Auxerre then,” revealed Doyle.
Auxerre has won on good to firm ground and Doncaster clerk of the course Roderick Duncan said: “It’s a dry forecast. I anticipate it drying out to achieve good ground, possibly a bit quicker than that.”
David Elsworth saddles Ripp Orf, with other noteable each way tips being David Barron’s Kynren and David O’Meara-trained Humbert.
Doyle takes the rides on Exec Chef (2.25) in the Unibet Spring Mile, and the Charlie Appleby trained Just You Wait (4.45) in the 32Red Casino Maiden Stakes, both tipped to win.
Sharja Bridge (3.00) trained by Roger Varien and ridden by Andrea Atzeni, is tipped to win the Unibet Mile Stakes.
DONCASTER selections: 1.50 Invincible Army, Arbalet (ew). 2.25 Exec Chef, Rampant Lion (ew). 3.00 Sharja Bridge, 3.35 The Lincoln: 1. Auxerre 2. Ripp Orf 3. Humbert 4. Kynren. 4.10: Birkenhead (ew). 4.45 Just You Wait 5.20 Misu Pete, Consultant (ew).
KEMPTON selections: 1.35 Living Legend. 2.05 Matterhorn. 2.40 Desert Doctor. 3.15 Cosmeapolitan (ew). 3.50 George Formby (ew). 4.25 Absolute Dream (ew). 5.00 Flintrock (ew).
SOUTHWELL selections: 6.00 Thunder Paddy. 6.30 Vikivaki. 7.00 Space Bandit. 7.30 Shine Baby Shine. 8.00 Geography Teacher. 8.30 Joyful Dream.
STRATFORD selections: 1.35 Airton. 2.30 American Tom. 3.05 Roc D’Apsis. 3.40 Graasten. 4.15 Blue Rhythm (ew). 4.50 Jarlath. 5.25 Hurricane Harvey.
UTTOXETER selections: 2.10 Agent Westy (ew). 2.45 Supremely Lucky. 3.20 Terry The Fish. 3.55 Renwick (ew). 4.30 Little Millie. 5.05 Mont Royale (ew). 5.35 Pogo I Am.