Lincoln Soon Back In Action

London Prize and Home Of The Brave kept us ticking over at modest prices last week, while Moonraker managed a third at Newcastle and showed an each-way profit. I was disappointed with Paddy Power and wouldn’t know what to do next time, while stable-companion Don’t Touch was clearly below his best in the Chipchase, something easily detectable from the morning prices. A few of Richard Fahey’s were a bit disappointing on Saturday, so a degree of caution is advised at present.

Mick Channon is jogging along but I feel he is becoming more and more dependent on horses with a ‘local’ – which effectively means Southampton and/or Hampshire – connection. The plater Milton Road, named after the popular end at The Dell, is one of several examples and you will see more horses in Channon’s own yellow and black colours these days.

That is not true of the somewhat enigmatic LINCOLN, who looked to have a fair chance in a competitive sprint handicap at Windsor on Sunday. The race did not suit him, however, and Graham Lee wisely allowed him to coast in when the gaps did not appear in time. He did not have hard race at all and it is a good move to run him again quickly, albeit over seven furlongs, at Leicester on Saturday. There is twenty thousand pounds guaranteed in the pot for a race which does not look all that difficult and, despite his ten stones, Lincoln can win it. There is no telling what his price will be but I’d be very interested at around 5/1 or bigger.

Although it is Coral Eclipse day, the attractive Sandown card does not offer many punting opportunities in this corner. GOLDREAM made no show in the King’s Stand but everything was blown away by the flying American winner and he will be happier in the Group 3 Coral Charge. I felt Richard Hughes’ PACO’S ANGEL ran above her previous form in the Sandringham but she looked like causing a 33/1 upset with a furlong to go. Beware a false price in the Coral Distaff, though I admit she has a favourite’s chance on that running.

I can picture SAIGON CITY improving enough to play a leading role in the Old Newton Cup at Haydock. (If you want to know why I hesitate over any race involving a tough Mark Johnston-trained handicapper, check the stark contrast between Soldier In Action’s winning effort two outings ago with what happened immediately before and after. I admit the stable defeats me.) Saigon City will be a price, whereas I assume Charlie Hills’ MAGICAL MEMORY will be a warm favourite in the conditions event over six furlongs. He needs to win this to make up for a lack-lustre run at Royal Ascot and set himself up for a tilt at the Darley July Cup but I wouldn’t take a very short price because Kachy is a very fast horse who may well set up a lead. He is more at home over five furlongs and Magical Memory should reel him in but his supporters will no doubt feel a little anxious at half-way.

The 6.40 at Nottingham is a Carnaby-type sprint handicap and there may be something on the line, given straightaway if so, on Saturday morning.