It’s Lincoln day at Doncaster today and a reminder that the Flat season is almost upon us. It’s also worth remembering when betting at Doncaster today that this is the first day for many of them and race fitness can be a factor. With this in mind I think MONDAMMEJ is the bet in the Cammidge Trophy. Anthony Brittain’s sprinter has come on leaps and bounds in the last 12 months having been rated 79 this time last year and has race fitness on his side having been on the go on the all weather recently. I admit I would fancy him more if this race was over 5f rather than 6f but if Cam Hardie can keep him covered up for as long as possible I’d fancy some of these to blow up in the last furlong which will leave the door open for the selection.
In the Lincoln itself I could back 4 or 5 at a bigger price as I think the market is all wrong. I’ve settled with MARIE‘S DIAMOND as my number one selection though and I think 40/1 is just too big. Roger Fell hasn’t had him long but took him out to Dubai over the winter where he ran well against some good horses in Group company. With that winter sun on his back and a few runs under his belt I think he will be more forward than a lot of these and his form in the book gives him a right chance. He’s proven in the grade and conditions and personally I think the straight mile at Doncaster will play to his strengths as you could argue his optimum trip is 9f so he could make this quite a test on the front end.
Down at Stratford, I will be surprised if BALLYBEEN can’t win off a mark of 100 now faced with good ground for the first time. Sam Thomas has always maintained this horse would be better off on good ground and given how well he ran on soft ground last time, you would have to fancy his chances now. He just faded after the last at Bangor over 3m last time in a race that has worked out very well and a repeat of that run over this shorter trip on a sounder surface will see him trouble the judge for sure.
Doncaster 1.50 – Mondammej
Doncaster 3.35 – Marie’s Diamond
Stratford 2.18 – Ballybeen
