Classic Port moves to John Ryan yard

Michael Wigham’s Classic Port has transferred to John Ryan’s yard and is eligible to run in the William Hill Lincoln at Doncaster on Saturday.

Wigham today started a 35-day suspension from running his horses after twice breaching the ’non-trier’ rule with Granakey during a 13-day period.

The Newmarket handler, who was also hit with a record-breaking £20,000 fine, entered Classic Port for the Lincoln on Monday – 24 hours before his ban came into effect – but is prohibited from declaring the four-year-old grey on Thursday.

Consequently, the former Andre Fabre-trained colt will be in the care of Newmarket counterpart Ryan for the first big race of the Flat campaign.

“It’s obviously unfortunate circumstances how it has happened and I’ve got full respect for Michael Wigham as a trainer,” said Ryan.

“But it’s a good opportunity for me to have a runner in a big race like the Lincoln.

“I know the owners quite well but nothing has been set in stone and I’m not sure what will happen with the horse after (Wigham’s suspension).”

Classic Port won two races for Fabre in France and shaped encouragingly when fourth at Wolverhampton on his British debut.

“I don’t think the ground will be a problem and he has decent form in France,” added Ryan.

“The big thing at the moment is finding a jockey. I was hoping to get Jimmy Quinn, but he’ll be riding for Mark Tompkins.

“It’s obviously not the best preparation for a Lincoln but he wouldn’t be without a chance.”

Classic Port is as low as 20-1 to win the one-mile showpiece in South Yorkshire.

European Dream is a few points shorter in the market and will take his chance after a slightly unusual preparation.

A productive season on the level last year saw him rise nearly 30lb in the handicap before his attentions switched to hurdles.

Some consistent efforts followed before a couple of recent outings at Nad Al Sheba.

“He’s been out in Dubai and he’s wintered very well out there,” said Mick Gorbin, from the Richard Guest yard.

“He won the Lincoln consolation race last year by six lengths and then won three more decent handicaps going up from 77 to 102.

“We are reliant on the weather and the draw but there does seem to be rain around.”

Rio Riva, last year’s runner-up, is in line for another go.

“It suits Rio Riva to go to the race first time up,” said trainer Julie Camacho.

“He is definitely better fresh and he went for the race first time out last year too. He seems to run his best races first time up, so that won’t be a worry.

“He has run well at Doncaster in the past, so the course will suit.”

Mick Channon hopes Capable Guest, who won at Kempton in January, will sneak into the race.

“It’s just whether we get in now, we need two to come out,” said the trainer.

“He’s been running on the all-weather this year and he’s now ready to go on the grass.

“He could well run a decent race – he’s run well in it before,” he told At The Races.

Watamu lowered the colours of last year’s winner Very Wise at Lingfield in March but is unlikely to run on Town Moor.

Peter Makin has geared the seven-year-old specifically towards the Lincoln but an unfavourable forecast has floored connections.

“I think the ground will probably be too soft for him, which would be a shame because we’ve trained him all year for the race,” said Makin.

“We’d take a chance on good to soft, but nothing worse than that.

“If it were to dry out and the Irish horse (Little White Lie) didn’t travel, then we’d hope to have Ryan Moore on board.

“But that does not look like it’s going to happen as the weather appears to have put a tin-lid on things.”