There are few big races that haven't been won by Frankie Dettori in his years in the saddle, but the historic Betway Lincoln H. is one such glaring omission on his CV.
Doncaster is traditionally the venue for the opening meeting of the British turf season, but an early Easter weekend meant that this year Redcar had the honour of hosting an unusually low-key start to racing on the grass. Doncaster will be centre stage Friday, however, when the straight-mile cavalry charge of the Lincoln provides the highlight of an eight-race fixture.
Dettori has been signed up by Newmarket trainer John Ryan to partner Ocean Tempest (GB) (Act One {GB}), who won the race two years ago to kickstart a season which saw him win four times, including listed contests at Ascot and Windsor. Down the field in last year's Lincoln after a winter in Dubai, the 7-year-old gelding comes into this year's race a fresh horse after eight months off the track.
“He had a little injury last season but he's well now and we know races like the Lincoln suit him,” said Ryan, who will also saddle the former Aidan O'Brien-trained Battle Of Marathon (War Front). The 102-rated 4-year-old will be ridden by Adam Kirby, who was aboard Ocean Tempest for his 2014 victory.
Ryan continued: “Frankie knows [Ocean Tempest] enough and he's a straightforward horse. Adam rides Battle Of Marathon, but riding plans were made when Ocean Tempest had a light weight that he (Kirby) would not be able to do.”
The Lincoln favourite at 5-1 is Lord Of The Land (Ire) (Shamardal)–a brother to dual Classic winner Lope De Vega (Ire)–who represents the David O'Meara stable, having moved from Andre Fabre over the winter. O'Meara saddled last year's runner-up, Mondialiste (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), another to have joined his team from France, and who later in the year landed the G1 Woodbine Mile S. in Canada.
Dettori has also been engaged by Wesley Ward for the Elias Stables LLC homebred Create A Dream (Oasis Dream {GB}), one of 14 juveniles who will be lining up for the Brocklesby S. at Doncaster (4.30pm). Ward's team of five horses currently stabled at Manton in Marlborough includes New Trier (Ire), a filly by Holy Roman Emperor (Ire) who is owned by Jeff Yingling and is declared to run tomorrow on the Polytrack at Kempton Park (1.55pm), ridden by Jose Valdivia Jr.
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