The Flat returns in earnest this Saturday as Doncaster’s Lincoln Handicap headlines the domestic action and Forever Young steps out for Dubai World Cup glory at Meydan.
3.32 Doncaster — La Botte leads a big Lincoln field
The William Hill Lincoln on the Town Moor is staged as a 22-runner renewal of the £77,310 contest. Hary Eustace’s La Botte has been in good form, having finished second in the Britannia last June and run well in a Lincoln Trial at Wolverhampton; he was backed into favour last time and, despite being a never-nearer fourth, goes into this off the same mark and holds claims. William Haggas’s Eternal Force, with Cieren Fallon up, is bidding for a fourth successive win after partnering Godwinson to victory last year. Each-way threats include Karl Burke’s Botanical and Jack Channon’s Urban Lion, while Rogue Diplomat attempts a fifth straight success despite a 3 lb penalty.
4.45 Meydan — Forever Young the star attraction in Dubai World Cup
Japanese superstar Forever Young, fresh from a run in the Saudi Cup, heads the market for the 2026 Dubai World Cup. Trained by Yoshito Yahagi and reunited with jockey Ryusei Sakai, he returns to the 10-furlong trip he used when winning the Breeders’ Cup Classic and brings career earnings approaching £23 million. British interest is represented by the likes of Meydaan (Al Maktoum Classic winner), Tumbarumba — who will carry James Doyle in Wathnan silks — and Heart Of Honor for the Osborne yard, all of whom could factor if they rediscover form. Last year’s winner Hit Show goes for back-to-back victories, while Magnitude is also one to note after a string of consistent top-three finishes.
2.57 Doncaster — Docklands and Qirat headline the Doncaster Mile
A high-class quintet lines up for the Listed William Hill Doncaster Mile. Docklands, a Queen Anne victor, has bypassed a trip to Dubai to contest this race as part of his preparation for Hong Kong; Harry Eustace’s charge finished a solid fourth in the Hong Kong Mile in December and looks the one to beat if fully tuned up. Qirat, the shock 150-1 Sussex Stakes winner at Goodwood when he fulfilled a pacemaking role, has disappointed since but remains dangerous fresh under Colin Keane. Volterra, who beat Qirat in the 2024 Challenge Cup, is reliable at this level, while Treble Tee and Excellent Believe complete the line-up.
1.50 Doncaster — Spycatcher heads the Cammidge Trophy
The Listed William Hill Price Boosts Every Day Cammidge Trophy Stakes is competitive, but last year’s winner Spycatcher leads a 12-strong field. Karl Burke’s veteran has nine career wins, ended last season with a brace of victories and should be prominent over this favoured course and distance. Montassib, the 2024 winner who later captured the Group 1 Sprint Cup at Haydock, has been below that peak but finished close to Spycatcher in the Wentworth Stakes. James’s Delight likes cut in the ground, and My Mate Alfie represents an intriguing first outing for David O’Meara.
Best of the rest
Doncaster’s opener, the William Hill Bill Turner Memorial EBF Brocklesby Stakes (1.20pm), features Amo Racing’s promising pair Blixen Force and Ocean Club. The William Hill Epic Boosts Spring Mile Handicap (2.25pm) brings together Sterling Knight, Carron and Desperate Dan. In the William Hill Best Odds Guaranteed Maiden Stakes (4.05pm), William Haggas saddles debutant Super Crown — a 950,000gns yearling and half-brother to Ottery.
Across the water at Meydan, the Al Quoz Sprint (2.20pm) pits Lazzat against Khaadem for Group 1 honours, while Ombudsman heads the Dubai Turf field (3.35pm). Later in the card the world-rated Calandagan, winner of the Japan Cup in November, makes his seasonal return in the Dubai Sheema Classic (4.10pm) and is set for a mouthwatering clash with Willie Mullins’ Breeders’ Cup hero Ethical Diamond.
It’s a packed Saturday of top-level Flat racing, with big domestic prizes at Doncaster and global stars converging at Meydan for a high-profile Dubai World Cup card.