Unlucky Eshtibaak could pick up Doncaster win

Providing the weather holds off, we will witness the first major handicap of the new flat turf season, the William Hill Lincoln over the straight mile.

And if Town Moor does indeed get the green light then I strongly fancy the unlucky-in-running Eshtibaak to strike a chord for the John Gosden yard over the stable number one Lahaag in the 3.50.

Rated 93, this son of Dalakhani has been out of luck on two of his five career outings to date, following an easy maiden success at Nottingham and then beating none other than Colour Guard at Lingfield Park in a small handicap.

His run at Ascot in the Keltbray Handicap in July, incidentally the last time he was seen on a racecourse, was a desperately unlucky run.

Held up in behind horses on the inside by Hanagan, the colt was stopped a total of three times down the home stretch and his rider quite rightly accepted the situation from half a furlong out.

What this horse does need is room to operate in as he has a long and flowing stride, and rather than instantly quickening, he lengthens and lengthens when asked to go about his business.

There should be no shortage of room down the wide Doncaster straight and, nicely drawn high in stall 22, he has plenty of pace around to drag him into the race.

I respect the claims of the well-backed Captain Bertie while last year’s hero Brae Hill, along with the aforementioned Lahaag and mud-lark Swiftly Done, should also play a part granted the luck in running you need in a race of this nature.

Levitate should run well in the Spring Mile at 2.40, but it is the top weight Anderiego that catches my eye off a mark of 92.

David O’Meara’s charge has a good record at Doncaster and is taken to give the weight away to Dubai Dynamo and King of Eden.

Others worth a mention on the main flat card include Gran Maestro (each-way) in the 4.25, while Amazing Blue Sky looks a perfect back to lay if he can fly out of stall number one in the apprentice handicap due off at 5.30.

Over at Newbury expect a bold show from Highland Retreat in the 2.55.

Harry Fry’s mare has been improving all through the season and will be running on over this gruelling event when others have cried enough.