James Doyle rode the well-backed Addeybb to win the Lincoln, the first big race of the new Flat season, and acknowledged he now has enough support to be considered a runner for the title of champion jockey. This was a victory for the jockey’s link with the Newmarket trainer William Haggas, which is still in its early stages but proving fruitful.
“We’re trying to build a relationship with James,” Haggas said. “He’s contracted to Godolphin but he didn’t seem to be used much by them last year. We’re trying to get a jockey who will ride regularly and will be able to ride in the better races.
“We’d like Ryan [Moore] but so would everyone else. We’ll see how it goes and if James is available I think he’ll ride the majority of the ones that we have.”
Doyle is a 40-1 shot to be champion this year but that could underestimate him, considering he also has the support of another influential Newmarket trainer in Hugo Palmer. Asked if he would be making a run at the title this year, Doyle replied: “I’ve never not gone for it.” He then accepted he is now receiving a quantity of support that could make him a contender. “Hopefully we can ride plenty of winners. We’ll be trying anyway.”
Last seen winning the Silver Cambridgeshire with Moore aboard in September, Addeybb travelled strongly here, could be called the winner a long way out and won in the style of a Group horse. Haggas may try him in a good-quality mile race at Sandown’s mixed meeting at the end of April. The trainer has now won four Lincolns, matching the record set by Jack Robinson, whose most recent victory was more than a century ago.
A step up in class is also on the cards for Zabeel Prince, who won a Listed prize here. Beaten once in his past five outings, Roger Varian’s charge may now go to Newbury’s Lockinge Stakes in May.
At Newbury, Seeyouatmidnight finally qualified for next month’s Grand National by taking part in a race over fences for the first time this season. His connections’ plans had been repeatedly frustrated by bad weather at tracks such as Kelso and Carlisle but he showed up well for a long way in this race over a distance too short for him.
Several firms trimmed the Scottish horse’s odds for thee Aintree race, though he remains at 33-1 in places.
Ascot
2.00 Colonial Dreams 2.35 Malaya 3.10 Valhalla (nb) 3.45 Darebin 4.20
Houblon Des Obeaux (nap) 4.55 Ballyheigue Bay 5.30 Midnight Cowboy
Carlisle
2.15 Shanaway 2.50 Aye Right 3.25 Slanelough 4.00 Robbing The Prey 4.35 Reverant Crust 5.10 Shanroe Street 5.45 Dr Sanderson
Doncaster
2.25 Boots And Spurs 3.00 First Contact 3.35 Poyle Vinnie 4.10 Across The Stars 4.45 Magic City 5.20 Dr Richard Kimble 5.55 Leonidas 6.30 Ingleby Hollow
