The Lincoln is a date circled in every flat racing fan’s calendars. A big-field handicap, it toasts the return of the flat season to kick off a superb spring and summer of racing on the level.

Joe Napier previews this year’s Doncaster renewal, which has attracted a full field of 22 runners.

2026 Lincoln Handicap Runners

Harry Eustace has been effusive of the levels La Botte may reach this season. He was desperately unlucky to lose at Royal Ascot last season and could easily have gone closer on the all-weather on return. Group races may await. The same could be said of the four-timer chasing Eternal Force, though seeking a fifth straight win, the chances are Rogue Diplomat has now found something close to his ceiling.

Anno Domini is interesting returning from Dubai with Ryan Moore’s son Toby claiming 7lb off him for Charlie Appleby. He would need to step up, whereas Botanical has shown high-class form just below Group standard before. He is relatively lightly-raced for his age, goes well fresh, and has joined a top yard that have done well in a similar race to this in the Cambridgeshire in recent seasons with his type.

Both Galeron and Shout rounded back to form at the end of last season. Unsurprisingly, there are a host at longer prices who could have a say in this year’s Lincoln too.

Tribal Chief ran better than the bare result in the Balmoral Handicap to conclude last term. he has done nothing but progress for David Menuisier while Greek Order could yet be thrown in if refinding his best from the beginning of 2025.

The veteran ten-year-old Bopedro would be a popular winner and is on a plausible handicap rating. Mirabeau is also worthy of mention as 1m could well be his best distance. He is untried over it as yet.

2026 Lincoln Handicap Racecard

15:32 Doncaster

William Hill Lincoln (Heritage Handicap)

Going Good To Soft
Distance 1m 0f 0y
Class Class 2
Race Type Flat Turf
Surface Turf
Runners 21
Win Time 1m 41s

1st 7 (2) 2 tips

Urban Lion W: 9st 6lb Age: 5 yo Gelding

9/1 (Won)

J: Edward Greatrex T: Jack Channon

OR: — RPR: — Form: 15309-

GG Racing Score — Ability — Draw — Jockey — Trainer — Course — Distance —

2nd 12 (5)

Rogue Diplomat W: 9st 3lb Age: 4 yo Colt

11/1

J: Harry Davies T: James Owen

OR: — RPR: — Form: 51111-

GG Racing Score — Ability — Draw — Jockey — Trainer — Course — Distance —

3rd 18 (21) 1 tip

Tribal Chief W: 9st 1lb Age: 5 yo Gelding

14/1

J: Sean Levey T: David Menuisier

OR: — RPR: — Form: 96107-

GG Racing Score — Ability — Draw — Jockey — Trainer — Course — Distance —

4th 1 (3) 1 tip

Botanical W: 9st 12lb Age: 6 yo Gelding

11/1

J: Sam James T: K R Burke

OR: — RPR: — Form: /3585-

GG Racing Score — Ability — Draw — Jockey — Trainer — Course — Distance —

5th 17 (4)

Alpha Crucis W: 9st 1lb Age: 6 yo Gelding

28/1

J: Rhys Clutterbuck T: Gary & Josh Moore

OR: — RPR: — Form: 20226-

GG Racing Score — Ability — Draw — Jockey — Trainer — Course — Distance —

6th 10 (16) 1 tip

Valvano W: 9st 4lb Age: 5 yo Gelding

10/1

J: Hector Crouch T: Ralph Beckett

OR: — RPR: — Form: /4033-

GG Racing Score — Ability — Draw — Jockey — Trainer — Course — Distance —

7th 9 (6) 7 tips

Eternal Force OUR TIP W: 9st 4lb Age: 4 yo Gelding

4/1

J: Cieren Fallon T: William Haggas

OR: — RPR: — Form: 42111-

GG Racing Score — Ability — Draw — Jockey — Trainer — Course — Distance —

8th 22 (9)

La Trinidad W: 8st 12lb Age: 9 yo Gelding

40/1

J: P J McDonald T: Roger Fell

OR: — RPR: — Form: 95473-

GG Racing Score — Ability — Draw — Jockey — Trainer — Course — Distance —

9th Deadheat 3 (19)

Shout W: 9st 9lb Age: 4 yo Gelding

12/1

J: Robert Havlin T: Simon & Ed Crisford

OR: — RPR: — Form: 30714-

GG Racing Score — Ability — Draw — Jockey — Trainer — Course — Distance —

9th Deadheat 20 (11)

Christian David W: 9st 0lb Age: 5 yo Colt

66/1

J: Alec Voikhansky T: Richard Hannon

OR: — RPR: — Form: 1601-0

GG Racing Score — Ability — Draw — Jockey — Trainer — Course — Distance —

11th 16 (10)

Theoryofeverything W: 9st 2lb Age: 6 yo Gelding

40/1

J: Oisin Orr T: David O’Meara

OR: — RPR: — Form: 72508-

GG Racing Score — Ability — Draw — Jockey — Trainer — Course — Distance —

12th 11 (7) 2 tips

Galeron W: 9st 3lb Age: 6 yo Gelding

14/1

J: Jack Callan T: Charles Hills

OR: — RPR: — Form: 05342-

GG Racing Score — Ability — Draw — Jockey — Trainer — Course — Distance —

13th 13 (1)

Greek Order W: 9st 2lb Age: 6 yo Gelding

16/1

J: Jason Hart T: Michael Bell

OR: — RPR: — Form: 34000-

GG Racing Score — Ability — Draw — Jockey — Trainer — Course — Distance —

14th 2 (13) 2 tips

La Botte W: 9st 12lb Age: 4 yo Colt

3/1F

J: Jamie Spencer T: Harry Eustace

OR: — RPR: — Form: /142-4

GG Racing Score — Ability — Draw — Jockey — Trainer — Course — Distance —

15th 5 (17)

Thunder Roar W: 9st 8lb Age: 7 yo Gelding

33/1

J: David Nolan T: Tony Coyle & Kaine Wood

OR: — RPR: — Form: 4102-7

GG Racing Score — Ability — Draw — Jockey — Trainer — Course — Distance —

16th 4 (14)

Great Acclaim W: 9st 8lb Age: 5 yo Gelding

50/1

J: Callum Hutchinson T: Eve Johnson Houghton

OR: — RPR: — Form: 12240-

GG Racing Score — Ability — Draw — Jockey — Trainer — Course — Distance —

17th 6 (18)

Anno Domini W: 9st 8lb Age: 4 yo Colt

14/1

J: Toby Moore T: Charlie Appleby

OR: — RPR: — Form: 5/29-6

GG Racing Score — Ability — Draw — Jockey — Trainer — Course — Distance —

18th 8 (12)

Tarkhan W: 9st 4lb Age: 7 yo Gelding

100/1

J: William Carver T: Jamie Osborne

OR: — RPR: — Form: 27200-

GG Racing Score — Ability — Draw — Jockey — Trainer — Course — Distance —

19th 14 (22)

Mirabeau W: 9st 2lb Age: 4 yo Colt

40/1

J: Kevin Stott T: Dominic Ffrench Davis

OR: — RPR: — Form: 36750-

GG Racing Score — Ability — Draw — Jockey — Trainer — Course — Distance —

20th 19 (15)

Metal Merchant W: 9st 1lb Age: 6 yo Colt

50/1

J: Neil Callan T: Brian Toomey

OR: — RPR: — Form: 49/00-

GG Racing Score — Ability — Draw — Jockey — Trainer — Course — Distance —

21st 15 (20)

Orandi W: 9st 2lb Age: 8 yo Gelding

28/1

J: Jack Kearney T: A J Martin

OR: — RPR: — Form: 3980-0

GG Racing Score — Ability — Draw — Jockey — Trainer — Course — Distance —

Non-runners

Bopedro

+o+e Betting Returns

	Payout
Exacta	£154.20
Straight Forecast	£108.31
Tricast	£1457.39
Trifecta	£4316.40

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

POSTDATA:

TOPSPEED:

RP RATINGS:

The Star:

THE NORTH:

Daily Mirror:

NEWMARKET:

Telegraph:

The Guardian:

Daily Mail:

The Sun:

Daily Record:

The Times:

D Express:

LAMBOURN:

2026 Lincoln Handicap Trends

You can read Dave Young’s trends preview of the Lincoln here, with a summary of the key trends for the race below.

2026 Lincoln Handicap Tips

La Botte was an unlucky Royal Ascot loser and caught the eye on his all-weather return. However, he is opposed at longer odds with fellow top-weight Botanical. Karl Burke has made a habit of winning the Cambridgeshire with a top-weight in recent years. Botanical ran well on his seasonal return in 2025 here when third in a high-class renewal of the Listed Doncaster Mile. With it plausible he will improve for the switch of yards and the fact he goes well fresh, a delivery of something near his best previous form would see him go close. The in-form Eternal Force is feared most, though Tribal Chief, Greek Order and Mirabeau are interesting alternatives at bigger prices.

T: K R Burke

J: Tom Marquand

Result

7th 4/1

Tribal Chief

J: Jack Dace

T: David Menuisier

Result

3rd 14/1

FAQs

When and where is the Lincoln Handicap run?

The Lincoln Handicap will take place at Doncaster racecourse on Saturday 28 March, 2026 at 3.32pm.

How can I watch the Lincoln Handicap on Saturday?

The Lincoln Handicap is shown live on ITV Racing at 3.32pm.

When were the Lincoln Handicap tips published?

The tips for the Lincoln Handicap were published at 3.52pm on Thursday 26 March.

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Next Race Off

Lincoln tips, odds, racecard & trends: Opening flat season showpiece can go to Burke debutant

2026 Lincoln Handicap Runners

2026 Lincoln Handicap Racecard

15:32 Doncaster

William Hill Lincoln (Heritage Handicap)

+o+e Betting Returns

Selections

2026 Lincoln Handicap Trends

2026 Lincoln Handicap Tips

FAQs

When and where is the Lincoln Handicap run?

How can I watch the Lincoln Handicap on Saturday?

When were the Lincoln Handicap tips published?