The Flat is Back: Best Betting Sites and Tips for Lincoln Handicap Day

With the Cheltenham Festival in the rearview mirror and the Aintree Grand National hurtling into view, this weekend sees the Flat step into the racing limelight. Doncaster sets the stage for the first Flat turf fixture of 2026, as the road to the Classics, major summer festivals, and autumn highlights begins.

The centrepiece of the seven-race card from Town Moor is one of the most historic and eagerly anticipated handicaps of the year. First run back in 1853 and taking place over Doncaster’s straight mile, the Lincoln Handicap maintains its position as the first major target for the most talented handicappers.

The ITV crew are in full flat mode this weekend, with the Lincoln topping the bill on an eight-race TV card. Here, using analysis presented by NewBettingSites.uk, we pick out a Lucky 15 covering four of the televised races from Doncaster, including our selection in the big race itself.

Best Betting Sites for the Lincoln Handicap

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1:20 Doncaster – William Hill Bill Turner Memorial EBF Brocklesby Stakes

We start off in the first juvenile contest of the season. 15 runners, all of whom are making their debut – not the easiest of contests to weigh up on paper. However, for those who enjoy delving into the pedigrees of the contenders, the race presents a fascinating puzzle.

Having won two of the past four editions, this is clearly a race that Amo Racing likes to target. The powerful owners have two entries this year in Blixen Force and Ocean Club – both sons of Persian Force, who won the 2022 edition of this and rates an intriguing addition to the stallion ranks. The betting suggests that Blixen Force is the one, but taking a price of around 15/8 in an event like this doesn’t set the pulse racing.

We will instead take an each-way chance on Bill The Bull – a horse named in honour of Bill Turner, the gentleman of the race’s title who won this race six times before sadly passing away in 2025. By solid speed influence, Coulsty, and out of a mare in Princess Banu, who has already produced four winning juveniles, we like his chance of hitting the frame at a double-figure price. Take the 14/1 with BetMGM, who are paying out each way on the first four.

• Recommended Bet - Bill The Bull each way @ 14/1 with BetMGM

1:50 Doncaster – William Hill Place Boosts Every Day Cammidge Trophy Stakes

We move up a furlong in trip and step into Listed company for this 6f event. Having landed the past two editions, Spycatcher and Montassib are currently vying for favouritism, closely followed by Jasour, who takes a drop in class from the July Cup. Still only five years old, Jasour would be our pick of the fancied runners, but we again prefer an each-way punt.

While not one for big stakes, if there is a horse underestimated in the market, it may well be the James Tate-trained four-year-old Caburn. A hugely promising youngster, this striking grey mixed it with the likes of Camille Pissarro, Shadow Of Light and Big Mojo in his juvenile days. Not much has gone right since, but he showed signs of life on his second start for Tate when scoring at Yarmouth in September. Having blown away the cobwebs with a recent spin at Southwell, he is worth a small each-way play in a tricky heat.

• Recommended Bet - Caburn each way @ 33/1 with BetMGM

2:25 Doncaster – William Hill Epic Boosts Spring Mile Handicap

The Lincoln Handicap is so popular that even this consolation race boasts a maximum field of 22. Going in the colours of the 2025 Lincoln winner, Godwinson, Mezcala heads the betting for Jack Channon. An unexposed sort, he should go well. Carron also appeals for the George Boughey team, having performed well in Meydan over the winter.

Looking further down the list, Vincent Rocks stands out at a big price, having mastered Mezcala at Nottingham last season. However, the one to get our vote is the apparent Boughey second string, Classic Encounter. By Shamardal and out of the Grade 1 winning mare Zhukova, the selection hasn’t hit the heights that pedigree suggests. However, with form figures of 21234 in 1m turf handicaps, he is a solid operator in this sort of event. We also like the fact that he has won over slightly further than this, which should be an advantage in a race sure to be run at a frenetic gallop.

• Recommended Bet - Classic Encounter each way @ 9/1 with BetMGM

3:32 Doncaster – William Hill Lincoln

Last but not least, the big race of the day. In a race no stranger to a successful gamble, the Harry Eustace-trained La Botte has worked his way to the head of the market. A big eye-catcher in the trial at Wolverhampton last time, he looks primed to go well. However, whether he will be up to conceding 8lb to the William Haggas runner, Eternal Force, we aren’t so sure.

With five wins to his name, Haggas is the most successful trainer in the history of this great race and looks to have another likely sort on his hands here. By super sire Dubawi and out of a mare by another super sire, in Galileo, Eternal Force is unbeaten in three outings following a gelding procedure. Still showing signs of greenness in that latest success at Haydock, he may not have finished improving yet and can defy a mark of 96.

• Recommended Bet - Eternal Force to win @ 4/1 with BetMGM

A 50p each-way Lucky 15 on the above selections at the recommended prices returns £18,698.61 with BetMGM if all four horses win, and £219.11 if all four only place.