The Lincoln Handicap

PENITENT will have to overcome the burden of top weight of 9st 11lb at Doncaster on April 2 if he is to become the first back-to-back winner of the William Hill Lincoln since Babur in 1958.

 
Trained by William Haggas for Cheveley Park Stud, Penitent was the well-backed winner of last year's contest from Prime Exhibit, who has been allotted 8st 9lb.


Only Penitent and Nationalism (9st 2lb) will carry above 9st among the nine 14-1 co-favourites for the Lincoln, with Irish Heartbeat and Doctor Crane on8st 10lb, Taqleed on 8st 9lb, Brick Red and Gunner Lindley given 8st 7lb and Eton Forever and Kalk Bay on 8st 6lb.

Recent Wolverhampton all-weather winner Lowther has a weight of 9st 2lb and his trainer Alan Bailey is pleased with the form of the six-year-old.

He said: "Lowther will definitely go to Doncaster for the William Hill Lincoln if the ground is good or good to firm - soft ground would be against him. He gets a 5lb penalty for Monday's win, so that will put him on 9st 2lb.

"He's been going nicely on the all-weather this winter and I'm very pleased with everything. He's run some good races and is doing well."