Lord Of The Land has been the subject of much chatter ahead of the Betway Lincoln at Doncaster but it could pay to side with stablemate Birdman.

David O'Meara fires two shots at the first big race of the Flat season, with the former Andre Fabre inmate Lord Of The Land an admittedly intriguing contender.

But Birdman has been there and done it on these shores and might feasibly be the value call in what is always a difficult conundrum in which to solve.

The six-year-old son of Danehill Dancer lost the plot for previous trainer David Simcock but, in a manner to which racing has grown accustomed, he has since flourished under O'Meara's tutelage.

Birdman has won five races from 13 starts for the North Yorkshire handler, who has somehow managed to get him up to a three-figure rating from a humble mark of 70.

His season rather tapered off last autumn, but that might have been more down to the fact he was on the go all year as opposed to the handicapper having taken a grip.

That claim is perhaps evidenced by a pleasing run over this course and distance in September, when, despite having lost a shoe, he finished a close third behind Bronze Angel in a hot handicap on the same mark off which he runs in the Lincoln.

Just as significant is the fact he goes well as a fresh horse as Birdman won at Thirsk last April on his first start for quite some time.

It will not be fast ground at Doncaster, a venue at which he has raced more than any other in the land, but O'Meara will not have any quibbles on that front as his inmate has won before in the heavy stuff.

Tough, honest and reliable, he looks a perfect fit for the Lincoln.

It is awfully difficult to escape Jack Dexter's advances in the Betway Cammidge Trophy.

Jim Goldie's flag-bearer will be running in this Listed affair for a fourth year on the spin, having scooped top honours in 2013 when conditions were loaded in his favour.

The seven-year-old gelding loves soft ground, as he showed over seven furlongs at Doncaster last November when he won the Wentworth Stakes - a victory which further strengthened his super record on Town Moor.

That Ryan Moore receives the leg-up for the first time should be viewed upon as a genuine statement of intent.

Belardo can make a perfect start to the season by winning the Betway Doncaster Mile Stakes.

Things hardly went smoothly for Europe's champion two-year-old during his Classic campaign, but he at least finished the year with a bit of flourish by finishing second to Solow in the QEII at Ascot.

With cut in the ground a big boon for the Group One-winning colt, Belardo can take this before stepping back up to the top table.

Redstart sets the standard in the feature race at Kempton, the Betfred Mobile Snowdrop Fillies' Stakes.

Ralph Beckett's filly is fragile - she has only been sighted four times in a stop-start career - but she has won before on this track and also looked the real deal in the Fred Darling at Newbury a year ago.

Ruby Rambler is made of the right stuff to dish out weight and a beating in the EBF & TBA Mares' "National Hunt" Novices' Hurdle Finale at Newbury, with Gold Opera a worthy ally in the Belhaven Best Novices' Handicap Chase at Kelso.

Transient Bay can add to his Ayr gains by trousering the Betfred 1400 Shops Nationwide Handicap Hurdle at Uttoxeter, while Road To Riches, who really ought to have run in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, is the natural selection in the Webster Cup Chase at Navan.

SELECTIONS

DONCASTER: 2.15 Keystroke, 2.45 BIRDMAN (NAP), 3.20 Jack Dexter, 3.55 Belardo, 4.30 Create A Dream, 5.05 Albert Boy, 5.40 My Lord, 6.10 Burner.

KELSO: 1.45 Gold Opera, 2.20 Silsol, 2.50 Trust Thomas, 3.25 Savello, 4.00 Ash Park, 4.35 Mondlicht, 5.10 Cave Hunter.

KEMPTON: 1.55 Stringybark Creek, 2.30 Grey Mirage, 3.00 Harry Hurricane, 3.35 Marenko, 4.10 Redstart, 4.45 Adventurous, 5.20 Hamelin.

NEWBURY: 2.00 Ozzie The Oscar, 2.35 Ned Stark, 3.05 Simply Wings, 3.40 Ruby Rambler, 4.15 Culture De Sivola, 4.50 Go Conquer, 5.25 Cash Again.

UTTOXETER: 2.05 Aston Cantlow, 2.40 Garde Ville, 3.10 Transient Bay, 3.45 Oscar Sunset, 4.20 Bryden Boy, 4.55 Storming Strumpet, 5.30 Calling Des Blins.

DOUBLE: Birdman and Jack Dexter.