Richard Fahey column: Doncaster Lincoln meeting

I’m really looking forward to the start of the new Turf Flat season at Doncaaster on Saturday and we have a good team heading there.

First up is Birchwood in the Betway Cammidge Trophy. We’ve gone back to basics with him and are sending him sprinting again. He was a funny horse last year, we never felt he was concentrating and tried blinkers and all sorts with him.

It’s all change this spring and he’s training very well and is a happy horse. I hope he’s going to run a big race if the trip doesn’t find him out.

We also run Rene Mathis who is in great form. He’s very fit and very well. I thought he ran okay at Wolverhampton the last day and ground and trip are ideal. I’d be delighted if he was placed.

We’re triple-handed in the Betway Spring Mile which must be the best renewal of that race yet. I thought all three of mine would run well in the Lincoln but they never stood a chance of getting in.

Nimr is the shortest in the betting and is well-in if he’s as effective on grass as he is on the all-weather. He’s rated 100 now but races here off 95 and will take a bit of beating if at his best. He couldn’t be in better form.

Neither could Another Touch who is absolutely flying. He’s in great order having had a frustrating three months out in Dubai where he didn’t get to race. He came back with Ribchester on Monday and is very well, my only worry would be if there was a lot more rain. He wouldn’t want it too soft.

In contrast the more the better for Gabrial’s Kaka who looks fantastic and is in great order. It’s a very tough race but all three of mine could go well.

Toscanini was sent here was a lead horse for Ribchester but if he didn’t run in the Betway Doncaster Mile there isn’t another race for him before the Lockinge. We’re giving him a run over a mile to see if he stays and I have to say he does work extremely well, he makes Ribchester go at home. If he gets home he could go close.

We’ve five in the Betway Lincoln.

Gabrial won the race two years ago off a mark of 100 and races from 108 here. I’d love to say he’s getting better but at the age of eight it’s a big ask. He has come back from Dubai in good order and we’ll let him take his chance on a track he likes.

I’m committing trainer suicide by running Third Time Lucky from a mark of 106 as he’s actually down to 101 now. The owners are keen to go and we’re letting Connor Murtagh take 7lb off him. To be fair this is his forte, a straight mile on decent ground but whether he can win this off 106 I don’t know. It would be a pleasant surprise if he did.

Heaven’s Guest is in good order. I spent all last year arguing he was badly handicapped and I still think he needs some help. He ran well in the Bunbury Cup and that finished him for the year as he couldn’t get competitive again, but we’ll keep trying.

Dolphin Vista was gelded over the winter and is working extremely well. Any more rain would suit the horse and I think he’ll run a big race.

There’s nothing hidden with Withernsea but we know he likes the track and the more rain the better for him. Whether he can win a race as competitive as this off a mark of 97 is a different matter but he’ll run his race.

We’ve runners in both divisions of the Betway Brocklesby Conditions Stakes.

Almane is sharp and early and runs in division one. We don’t know where we are with the two-year-olds yet but they are being led along by decent lead horses and we have a lot of good older sprinters to choose from.

This fellow has been holding his own and Paul Hanagan is very happy with him so he’s ready to start.

So is Requinto Dawn in division two. He’s very sharp but a little buzzy and I hope they go a good gallop and he can get some cover, drop his head and race properly. This is a horse who just wants to race so we’re giving him the chance to do it.

Bahamian C is what he is but he’s fit, well, and runs in the closing Betway Apprentice Handicap. The owners love runners at Doncaster and it would be great if this fellow ran well for them.