Thunder Run set to land the Lincoln at Doncaster

HUNDER Run can secure victory in the William Hill Lincoln (Heritage Handicap) (3.35pm) as the new Flat season starts at Doncaster this afternoon.

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The traditional curtain-raiser to the Flat season on Town Moor is always a competitive contest but North Yorkshire trainer Karl Burke's four-year-old can take the prestigious mile handicap.

In recent years outsiders have held sway, but maybe this time Thunder Run, who may go off favourite, can triumph. The four-year-old looks to have all the attributes needed for the mile contest and he may triumph before like some past winners have going on to be a Group-race performer.

Thunder Run didn't run as a two-year-old but progressed really well last season, winning three times in six starts. After finishing second over seven furlongs on his debut at Wetherby last June, he scored over a mile at Thirsk. He backed that up with another success in a Novice Stakes contest at Hamilton before being switched to handicaps.

He was third in Thirsk's William Hill Summer Cup in August before running well in two similar big-field handicaps as he will tackle on his seasonal return at Doncaster.

The gelded son of Night Of Thunder made all to win the Clipper Handicap at York before finishing fourth in the Balmoral Handicap on QIPCO Bristish Champions Day at Ascot in October. With a break, he looks sure to resume his progressive profile and can land this prestigious handicap before potentially stepping up into graded company.

There are plenty of dangers including stablemate Native Warrior and the Hamad Al Jehani-trained Midnight Gun, who are both owned by Wathnan Racing. Outsiders the Jamie Osborne-trained Sean and Willie Haggas' Godwinson could both outrun their odds.