Weighty burden for Channon ace
Mick Channon’s Chrysander tops the weights for the William Hill Lincoln at Redcar on March 25.
The mile contest, the traditional curtain-raiser for the 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 Sir 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 and as long as we have a straight run through to the race with no setbacks he’ll go to Redcar.
“He’s back in now and looking a million dollars and hopefully we can get him there on the day. He’s a lovely horse and was a bit unlucky a couple of times last year.
“We were planning to go to Dubai for the Carnival but he was rated a couple of pounds too low to get in there.
“I may give him a prep run at Cagnes-sur-Mer in France over a mile on the sand if there’s nothing suitable over here – all options are open at present.
“I think a mile is his best trip now and decent ground, on the fast side of good, suits best. Even if there was some cut in the ground on the day, we’d be keen to give it a go as long as he was 100% fit and ready for action.”
The first forfeit stage for the race is January 24 with a second forfeit stage March 7.
William Hill Lincoln, sponsors bet: 10-1 Notnowcato, 12-1 Cesare, King’s Majesty, Stronghold, 14-1 Gentleman’s Deal, 16-1 Jalamid, Kamanda Laugh, My Paris, Zero Tolerance, 20-1 Babodana, Common World, El Coto, Putra Sas, Realism, Royal Island, Spectait, St Andrews, 25-1 bar.
