Weighty burden for Channon ace
The mile contest, the traditional curtain-raiser for the British Flat season, will be held at the seaside track this year as its regular home of Doncaster is being redeveloped.
Four-year-old Chrysander has been given top burden of 9st 10lb for the £100,000 contest, while ante-post favourite, Notnowcato, has been allotted 9st 2lb.
His trainer Michael Stoute won the race 12 months ago with Stream Of Gold and he has also entered King’s Majesty (8st 3lb) as he tries to follow up.
The two Irish-trained entries, Tommy Stack’s Tolpuddle (9st 9lb), a dual Listed winner, and the Tom Hogan-trained Common World (9st 8lb), third in last year, are also towards the head of the list, as is 2004 victor Babodana (9st 7lb).
Other horses prominent in the ante-post market with the sponsors include the John Gosden-trained Stronghold (9st 3lb) and Cesare (8st 9lb) from the James Fanshawe stable.
Alan Swinbank is definitely aiming for the Lincoln after Hartshead was handed an initial weight of 8st 7lb.
The six-year-old won two races last term over a mile and Swinbank is considering a trip to France in preparation for the handicap event.
He said: “We are definitely planning to run Hartshead in the Lincoln. I’m happy with his weight of 8st 7lb.
The first forfeit stage is January 24 with the second on March 7.
Meanwhile, Party Boss and Near Dock lead the British challenge as the Dubai International Racing Carnival kicks off at Nad Al Sheba today.
The pair, trained by Clive Brittain and Vince Smith respectively, line up in the first round of the Maktoum Challenge, a Group Three contest over a mile on dirt.
They look to have a tough task on their hands though with their eight rivals including 2004 UAE Derby winner Lundy’s Liability and Petit Paris, the mount of John Egan, who was runner-up in that same race.
Smith’s Kestrel Cross is the only UK representative in an ultra competitive nine-furlong dirt handicap while the John Hills-trained Clinet and Jeremy Noseda’s Festive Style line up in the fillies and mares’ handicap.
Mick Channon’s Millennium Force, a Carnival winner last year, will also be in action along with Stan Moore’s Azarole and Andrew Balding’s Pentecost in a seven-furlong handicap on the turf.
Channon also looks to hold a leading chance in the seven-furlong conditions race with Wovoka while Moore and Egan again combine with Renderoc.
Ryan Moore rides Brittain’s Well Armed and Godolphin start their campaign with both Testimony, the choice of Kerrin McEvoy and Emirates Gold, who will be ridden by Pat Smullen.
Eddie Ahern partners Brittain’s Kandidate on the same card while Pango, Hidden Dragon, King Marju and Boule D’Or also take their chances.
Jim Bolger’s Democratic Decifit represents Ireland while runners from India, Turkey, Kuwait, Brazil, France, Italy, South Africa, Macau, Singapore and Saudi Arabia are all in action on the night.
