GABRIAL’S KAKA, the mount of crack North Yorkshire apprentice Jack Garritty, can come out on top in today’s £100,000 Betway Lincoln Handicap, the traditional Doncaster curtain-raiser on the opening day of the Flat Turf season.

Malton trainer Richard Fahey also saddles Gabrial, the mount of Tony Hamilton, both fancied horses being owned by Dr Marwan Koukash, whose colours were carried to victory in this race three years ago by Brae Hill, also trained by Fahey.

The owner’s two horses, both of whom carry the name of his son, have strong chances from favourable-looking draws.

Gabrial is a previous course winner, who has been successful in a higher grade than handicaps and who scored in Dubai last winter. As for Gabrial’s Kaka, he finished sixth in this race last year, but bounced back next time when winning the Newbury Spring Cup. He did not win again last season, but he ran some excellent races in major handicaps.

The prospect of further rain falling on the Town Moor course will particularly suit Gabrial’s Kaka, who has come in for solid support from backers all week.

As for the spirited opposition to the Musley Bank pair, David O’Meara is also doubly-represented. The Nawton trainer saddles Robert The Painter, last year’s third, and Mondialiste, a useful horse with Freddy Head in France and bought for 190,000 euros.

He is largely unexposed and is the most fascinating runner in the field.

With a maximum field of 22 runners facing the starter for the first highlight of the 2015 campaign, Gabrial’s Kaka is napped to bring the prize back to Malton.

Graham Lee, on board Mange All in the Lincoln, has a useful book of rides on the card. He has further winning prospects on Henry Candy’s Dinkum Diamond, who bids to repeat his 2014 success in the Betway Cammidge Trophy, and also Certificate in the Betway Spring Mile, the consolation race for those horses which fail to make the cut in the Lincoln.

Trained at Newmarket by Roger Varian, Certificate, unraced as a juvenile, won one of his five races last season and showed progressive ability. There is surely more to come from him this year.

Also worth noting at Doncaster are the classy Tullius (2.00), and King Of Normandy (4.20), whose lofty 98 rating should ensure that he is head and shoulders over his rivals in maiden company.

The new Chelmsford course also hosts a valuable programme which has seemingly been lost to a lot of trainers, given that there is only one double-figure field.

Whatever his fate at Doncaster, Fahey has sent a large team of horses to the meeting and is unlikely to be denied a winner.

The Musley Bank trainer has particularly good chances with Brotherly Love (2,20), a promising second on his only outing at Redcar last season, the speedily-bred Young John (2.55), who makes his debut in the five-runner juvenile maiden, and Flashy Memories (4.40), who won his sole start last season, at Redcar in the autumn.

Doncaster today: 1.25 Ravenhoe, 3.00 Tullius, 2.35 Dinkum Diamond, 3.10 Certificate, 3.45 Gabrial’s Kaka (NAP), 4.40 King Of Normandy, 4.50 Mr Soprano, 5.25 Where’s Tiger.

Chelmsford today: 2.20 Brotherly Love, 2.55 Young John, 3.30 Top Boy, 4.05 Colourbearer, 4.40 Flashy Memories, 5.15 Red Avenger, 5.50 Lord Ofthe Shadows.

Today’s other meetings: Kempton, Stratford and Uttoxeter.