Roger Charlton set to saddle the Lincoln favourite Yuften at Doncaster on Saturday
Yuften looks likely to go off favourite for the Lincoln after Roger Varian's Morando was not declared and Charlton is happy with his draw in stall 14
ROGER CHARLTON is happy with Yuften's draw as he looks forward to saddling the likely favourite for the Lincoln at Doncaster on Saturday.
The six-year-old found himself at the head of the market after Morando was not declared.
Yuften goes to Town Moor with strong claims and an adaptable draw of stall 14 in a field of 22.
Charlton said: "I don't know what's a good draw or a bad draw, but I thought the fancied horses were spread about the track mainly low and middle, so I'm happy with the draw, happy with the ground and happy with the horse.
"We need a bit of luck in a race that's not easy to win.
"I think he just needed his prep. It was a good trial, so we're happy and we look forward to Saturday."
Donncha was second in the consolation Spring Mile 12 months ago and his trainer Robert Eddery is hopeful of another decent effort from his seasoned campaigner.
Eddery said: "The horse is in good form, I'm really pleased with him.
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"Jamie Spencer will suit the horse as he's an hold-up horse and likes to come between his horses."
The lack of a recent run is the main concern for trainer John Ryan as Battle of Marathon tries to improve upon his third place in this race last spring.
Ryan said: "Obviously it's his first run of the year, but we're hoping we've done enough with him.
"His training has gone OK so it's fingers crossed, as it is with any of these big handicaps.
"I think he's got an each-way chance. He's got a lot of weight to carry, but he has run up to that form before."
Bravery, who was fourth in last season's Irish 2000 Guineas, has his first run for David O'Meara since being bought for 44,000 guineas at Tattersalls Autumn Sales.
He lost his way a little for Aidan O'Brien, but his new trainer says the four-year-old colt is ready to start afresh.
O'Meara said: "He had some good form last year, but he only won one race. He ran well in a few decent races.
"His training has been good and we're looking forward to running him.
"I'm not quite sure with regards to trip, but it's a good place to start - a mile on easy ground.
"We'll learn a bit and go from there."
O'Meara also runs Steel Train, who is race-fit from a winter campaign on the all-weather.
The North Yorkshire handler said: "He's had a good winter, and he won a nice race at Newcastle. He's improved for the all-weather.
"Slow ground won't necessarily be in his favour but he has form at Doncaster."
Richard Fahey is mob-handed with five runners, including the 2015 hero Gabrial, but feels the handicapper has their measure.
"Gabrial has got nothing in hand," the Malton trainer told At The Races.
"You can say the same about Third Time Lucky, but he loves these big handicaps and likes a bit of juice in the ground.
"Heaven's Guest has not got much in hand off 100. Dolphin Vista, Paul (Hanagan) rides him. He's probably got the best chance.
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"He's in stall 10 so he's got the ideal draw to follow the pace, wherever it is.
"Withernsea is next to him (in stall seven), but it's a very open race."
Brian Ellison saddles Top Notch Tonto and Dream Walker and reckons the former goes to South Yorkshire with especially strong claims.
"I think he's got a massive chance," said Ellison.
"I think he's only run in two big handicaps in the last couple of years and he's finished second at York and second at Galway.
"His run at Wolverhampton was just to get him going for the Lincoln.
"He's in cracking form."