Roger Charlton happy with Lincoln favourite Yuften

Roger Charlton is happy with Yuften's draw as he looks forward to saddling the likely favourite for the Betway Lincoln at Doncaster on Saturday.

The six-year-old found himself at the head of the market for the valuable heritage handicap after Morando was not declared.

However, Yuften goes to Town Moor with strong claims and an adaptable draw of stall 14 in a field of 22.

And he shaped most encouragingly on his reappearance when just touched off in third place behind Salateen in the Listed Lady Wulfruna Stakes at Wolverhampton.

The Beckhampton handler said: "I don't know what's a good draw or a bad draw, but I thought the fancied horses were spread about the track mainly low and middle, so I'm happy with the draw, happy with the ground and happy with the horse.

"We need a bit of luck in a race that's not easy to win.

"I think he just needed his prep. It was a good trial, so we're happy and we look forward to Saturday."

Donncha was second in the consolation Spring Mile 12 months ago and his trainer Robert Eddery is hopeful of another decent effort from his seasoned campaigner.

Eddery said: "The horse is in good form, I'm really pleased with him.

"With stall 21, I'm quite happy with the draw because I think when the ground is good to soft, so it's better to be drawn on that side of the track.

"I'm very pleased with him and I'm just hoping for a bit of luck. Jamie Spencer will suit the horse as he's an hold-up horse and likes to come between his horses, so I think Jamie is a plus for us."

The lack of a recent run is the main concern for trainer John Ryan as Battle of Marathon tries to improve upon his third place in this race last spring.

"I'm happy enough with the draw (three)," said the Newmarket handler.

"We're towards the far side with a few fancied horses. It's always good to have pace and class around you. I've got the right man (Adam Kirby) aboard and I'm hopeful about the ground.

"It looks like we're going to get a bit of rain to ease the ground a little bit, but that should be OK for the horse.

"Obviously it's his first run of the year, but we're hoping we've done enough with him. His training has gone OK so it's fingers crossed, as it is with any of these big handicaps.

"I think he's got an each-way chance. He's got a lot of weight to carry, but he has run up to that form before.

"I'd be more concerned about it being his first run taking on horses that are race-fit, but if we have some rain it will help him and loosen the ground up."

Bravery, who was fourth in last season's Irish 2000 Guineas, has his first run for David O'Meara since being bought for 44,000 guineas at Tattersalls Autumn Sales.

The son of Galileo lost his way a little for Aidan O'Brien, but his new trainer says the four-year-old colt is ready to start afresh.

O'Meara said: "He had some good form last year, but he only won one race. He ran well in a few decent races.

"His training has been good and we're looking forward to running him. I'm not quite sure with regards to trip, but it's a good place to start - a mile on easy ground.

"We'll learn a bit and go from there."

O'Meara also runs Steel Train, who is race-fit from a winter campaign on the all-weather.

The North Yorkshire handler said: "He's had a good winter, and he won a nice race at Newcastle. He's improved for the all-weather.

"Slow ground won't necessarily be in his favour but he has form at Doncaster. He won impressively there at the last meeting."

Richard Fahey is mob-handed with five runners, including the 2015 hero Gabrial, but feels the handicapper has their measure.

"Gabrial has got nothing in hand," the Malton trainer told At The Races.

"You can say the same about Third Time Lucky, but he loves these big handicaps and likes a bit of juice in the ground. 

"Heaven's Guest has not got much in hand off 100. Dolphin Vista, Paul (Hanagan) rides him. He's probably got the best chance.

"He's in stall 10 so he's got the ideal draw to follow the pace, wherever it is.

"Withernsea is next to him (in stall seven), but it's a very open race."

Brian Ellison saddles Top Notch Tonto and Dream Walker and reckons the former goes to South Yorkshire with especially strong claims.

"I think he's got a massive chance," said Ellison.

"I think he's only run in two big handicaps in the last couple of years and he's finished second at York and second at Galway.

"His run at Wolverhampton was just to get him going for the Lincoln.

"He's in cracking form."

Eddystone Rock has had an unorthodox prep for the first big race of the turf season, with two runs in St Moritz, although that did not go quite to plan.

"He was a bit disappointing in St Moritz but he didn't adjust to the altitude too well," said trainer John Best.

"I'm hoping that's right as he seems right back to himself since he's been home.

"I wanted to be drawn where the pace was, either slightly on the low side or slightly on the high side, so five could be ideal for us.

"He's very well in himself. He's done well since we've had him and I'm hopeful of a big run."

Martin Dwyer is looking forward to getting the leg-up on Zhui Feng for Amanda Perrett.

"He's a decent horse and Amanda seems to have her horses in good form after having a couple of winners earlier in the week," said the jockey.

"I remember the horse winning at Goodwood last summer and hopefully he goes there with a big chance.

"From where I'm drawn I can have a look where the pace is and where the better horses are and then decide which way to go.

"Winning the Lincoln would be a great way to start the season."