Garlick’s Goodies: Racing tips for Wetherby and Doncaster

This meeting signals the start of the 2015 British Flat season on Turf with the Betway Lincoln Handicap being the highlight on Saturday.

First held at Doncaster in 1965 this race has been good to local trainers with Richard Fahey and John Quinn both on the scoresheet in recent years.

The word from Malton is that Mr Fahey is keen to win the race again and he could saddle three runners.

Finding the one that the yard thinks will win could be tricky as it is not always the shortest price horse that carries the stable money.

Dr Marwan Koukash owned Brae Hill who won the Lincoln for Fahey in 2012 and he could run both Gabrial and Gabrial’s Kaka.

The latter was sixth in the race last year when only a four-year-old after leading until inside the final furlong.

With an extra year on his back and potentially better going he could just have the improvement in him to win the race.

The opening race, the Brocklesby, is the first two-year-old race of the season and is often targeted by Somerset trainer Bill Turner.

He has won it four times in the last nine years and saddles Just That Lord ridden by crack apprentice Ryan While. He will be the one carrying my money.

Wetherby’s season over jumps continues on Friday where it is ‘Wear a Hat Day’.

The meeting supports Brain Tumour Research with a ‘Best Hat’ competition being held, along with spot prizes and a raffle.

Cheltenham Gold Cup winning jockey Nico De Boinville could make a rare visit to Wetherby to partner Old Pride in the opener.

He won his first race in England very impressively at Doncaster and despite a big rise in the weights looks a major player.

Sir Safir beat Venue at Catterick in February and that looks good form. He is taken to win the handicap hurdle at Wetherby for North Yorkshire trainer Peter Niven

Garlick’s Goodies: Old Pride – Friday – Wetherby 2:20pm; Sir Safir – Friday – Wetherby 3:55pm; Just That Lord – Saturday - Doncaster 1:25pm; Gabrial’s Kaka – Saturday - Doncaster 3:45pm