John Spearing can spoil Richard Fahey’s party by winning the £125,000 William Hill Lincoln Handicap at Doncaster tomorrow.

The Worcestershire trainer saddles Mull Of Killough in the traditional first day showpiece of the new campaign, which has attracted a maximum field of 22 runners, a staggering five of which are trained at Malton by Fahey.

Unraced as a juvenile, Mull Of Killough made rapid strides last season, winning three of his six starts including his final outing at Haydock in September.

A horse who has more to offer yet, Mull Of Killough looks a very interesting entry in this annually tricky handicap.

Fahey has excellent strength in depth among his squad of runners.

Extraterrestrial won three handicaps last season, including the Thirsk Hunt Cup and the Newbury Spring Cup, Albaqaa finished third in last summer John Smith’s Cup, Harrison George is very able over shorter distances, Mister Hardy won his first three starts last year and Prime Exhibit, a decent horse formerly trained by Roger Charlton, shaped well on his first run for Fahey over an inadequate six furlongs at Wolverhampton recently. It would be no surprise to see any of the five figure in the business end of this valuable event.

A similar comment applies to the William Haggas-trained favourite Penitent, a smart and lightly raced performer, who might well be well handicapped given that he remains open to plenty of improvement.

As always it promises to be a thrilling race, and Mull Of Killough is marginally preferred to the Fahey team of runners to come out on top.

Whatever his fate in the Lincoln, Fahey may be able to clinch the consolation race, the £50,000 William Hill Spring Mile, with Irish Heartbeat.

Previously trained in Ireland by David Myerscough, Irish Heartbeat has some useful form to his credit from five furlongs to a mile.

He has thrived since arriving in North Yorkshire last October and is napped to make a winning debut for his new handler.

Elswhere on Doncaster’s opening card, a note should be made of Diamond Geezah, trained by Barry Hills, who is reputed to be a very sharp sort for the two-year-old Brocklesby Stakes.

Arthur’s Edge, a winner recently on the all-weather at Southwell, should go well on his favourite easy ground in the William Hill Cammidge Trophy, in which Kevin Ryan’s Redford may represent the main danger.

At Kempton, William Haggas, whatever the outcome of his Lincoln bid with Penitent, has good prospects with the lightly raced and highly regarded South Easter. Also worthy of note are Mark Johnston’s pair, Becausewecan (3.25), a promising four-year-old, and prolific winner Love Delta (5.10).


Racing selections

Doncaster
2.00 Irish Heartbeat (NAP), 2.35 Arthur’s Edge, 3.10 Mull Of Killough, 3.40 Diamond Geezah, 4.15 Chain Of Events, 4.50 Red Jade, 5.20 Astrolibra, 5.55 Starla Dancer.

Kempton
2.20 Elnawin, 2.50 Becausewecan, 3.25 South Easter, 4.00 Takeaway, 4.35 Midfielder, 5.10 Love Delta, 5.40 Right Stuff.

Tomorrow’s other meetings:
Bangor,Newbury and Stratford.

Today’s meetings:
Carlisle, Lingfield, Newbury, Sedgefield and Wolverhampon.