Lincoln Handicap Picks — Betting Preview, Trends, and Predictions (Mar 29)

The British flat season kicks into gear on Saturday, March 29, 2025, as the first big handicap of the season is set for Doncaster. The Lincoln Handicap is staged just seven days before the biggest jumps handicap on the schedule- The Grand National. You can find the odds for the race at Doncaster here.

Odds

Lincoln Handicap Recent Winners

Lincoln Handicap: Event Information

Lincoln Handicap Trends

• Since 2014, nine horses have held official ratings of 99 or higher.
• Only two runners since 2014 have made a start within the last 44 days.
• There has only been one winning favorite since 2014, wth six of the last ten victors priced at +1200 or higher.
• Younger horses are worth considering, with runners aged four winning every race between 2016 and 2021.

Event Preview

Attentions switch back to action on the flat in the United Kingdom this weekend, as one of the most competitive betting events of the season is staged in the form of the Lincoln Handicap. This race forms part of the Spring Double, but it is extremely rare for horses to claim success in both early season handicaps.

The trends could point bettors in the right direction this weekend, with Thunder Run and Midnight Gun both ticking plenty of the boxes. The former could be easy to overlook for Karl Burke, however, due to the fact that he will likely start as the favorite.

Midnight Gun is narrowly higher in the handicap, and he will be making his first start after being gelded. He certainly looks to hold leading claims on the strength of his second over course and distance at the end of last season behind Harper’s Ferry.

However, the fact that bettors shouldn’t be scared of taking a price in this race shouldn’t be overlooked. Lattam may not fit the bill of being a younger horse, but the six-year-old for Julie Camacho has plenty of experience in big handicaps. He was last seen finishing second at Ascot in the Balmoral Handicap.

William Haggas runners deserve plenty of respect in this race, and he will send Godwinson to Doncaster. The five-year-old won a big purse at Goodwood last August, but ran below that standard on softer ground at Newmarket and Ascot at the end of the campaign.

Toimy Son could be another selection at a big price that is worth considering for trainer David Menuisier. The six-year-old has won four from 23 attempts on the turf, and was an eye-catching sixth in the Balmoral at the end of last year.

Lincoln Handicap Picks

Two that we like are Oliver Show and Orne this weekend. However, our main play is Apiarist for trainer Kevin Ryan and jockey Tom Eaves. The four-year-old holds an official rating of 97, and he has a recent win to his name after landing the spoils on the all-weather at Southwell.

He ran an excellent race when fourth over course and distance last October, but a return to a sounder surface could enhance his chances. He ran creditably behind some well-handicapped runners at York last summer, and has dropped to a turf mark that could see him primed for a strong effort this weekend.