Horse Racing Tips: Godwinson can rule in the Lincoln

It is the return of Flat turf racing in Britain on Saturday, with the traditional curtain-raiser being the Lincoln Handicap at Doncaster (15.35)

The eight-race card at Doncaster is first off at 13:15, followed by the Curragh, Stratford, Kempton and Uttoxeter in the afternoon. Newcastle stages an all-weather card in the evening. Here are our three selections for Saturday, one of which is a lightly-raced William Haggas charge in the feature.

Horse Racing Odds

Today's Horse Races

14:25 Doncaster - Marshman @ 7/2

Last year, the Cammidge Trophy was won by Montassib, who went on to land a Group 1 in the autumn in Haydock's Sprint Cup. 

In the Cammidge, only a neck separated the winner from MARSHMAN, and the latter is back for another attempt following a fruitful few weeks on the all-weather. 

Marshman made his first start since June at Newcastle in January, winning a handicap from a BHA mark of 102. He followed up with a Listed win at Lingfield over 6f, before finishing second in a similar grade over 5f at Southwell. 

The straight five at Southwell is notoriously quick and Marshman, who has always been best over six furlongs, was behind the bridle for much of the way. He still finished a clear second to speedball Clarendon House, who raced on the opposite side of the track. 

He returns to this race in flying form and will present a big threat to the returning James's Delight, who may have Group 1 ambitions later in the season.

15:35 Doncaster - Godwinson @ 14/1

William Haggas is well known for bringing along horses slowly and GODWINSON looks another apt example. 

This five-year-old has only run nine times in his life. He is also seemingly best when fresh. He was second in the Spring Cup at Newbury, a race very like the Lincoln, on his first run of 2024. He later won at Goodwood in August, following a 10-week break. 

Bringing him back for the Lincoln first time up is surely a deliberate bit of race planning for Haggas, who has won the race four times and would become the race's all-time leading trainer with one more success. 

Godwinson is drawn in stall three. It is essentially pot luck which side is the right one in races like the Lincoln, but he is drawn next door to a likely pace-setter in Orne so should be given a lead into the race.

16:30 Uttoxeter - Broughshane @ 7/2

The Jonjo O'Neill-trained BROUGHSANE has always been well regarded. On his rules debut at Ascot, he was sent off 100/30, just behind the winning 3/1 favourite. That horse happened to be Crambo, who has now won two Grade 1s at the same track. 

It would be fair to say Broughshane has not lived up to the level of faith shown in him. But he has won twice and fences were always likely to be the making of him. He won his only point-to-point and is bred to make a chaser. 

He showed a bit of promise when third at Fontwell on his chasing debut three weeks ago and now drops in grade, while going up in trip. Chases over 3m are likely to be his home, so he can start delivering on his potential.

Horse Racing Tips from Betfred Insights.