THE wait goes on for Richard Fahey after Sweet Lightning (16-1) denied the Malton trainer victory in the William Hill Lincoln at Doncaster.

Musley Bank-based Fahey, yet to win the Flat season’s first big handicap, was mob-handed with six runners for the £100,000 mile contest on Town Moor but had to settle for second best.

Following the withdrawal of favourite Taqleed, punters backed Fahey’s Irish Heartbeat – the mount of champion jockey Paul Hanagan – into 6-1 favouritism but it was Brae Hill (22-1) who held his hopes as the race approached the final furlong.

The five-year-old, ridden by Jamie Spencer, had a narrow advantage racing up the stands’ side but was soon overhauled by the Michael Dods-trained Sweet Lightning, ridden by Johnny Murtagh, who bolted past to a two-and-a-half length success.

Dubai Hills, for Sutton Bank trainer Bryan Smart, held on for third after leading the group on the far side but, while Fahey could at least content himself with the runners-up spot, there was no joy for Thirsk trainer David Nicholls, who saddled four runners.

Murtagh, celebrating his second successive Lincoln victory following Penitent’s win last year, said: “This is great.”

The Zetland Gold Cup and, eventually, the John Smith’s Cup at York could be on the radar for Mirrored, who got North Yorkshire trainers off the mark in the williamhill.com Handicap.

The five-year-old had been a useful horse for Sir Michael Stoute, and it has taken a good training performance from Great Habton’s Tim Easterby to get him back to his best.

Easterby hailed rider Duran Fentiman, who got Mirrored (18-1) settled and relaxed at the back of the field in the mile and two furlong contest – before scything down those in front to lead at the furlong marker on the way to a two and a quarter length victory.

Hanagan got on the scoresheet thanks to Norton trainer John Quinn’s Bonfire Knight’s (100-30) impressive victory in the williamhill.com Handicap.

Meanwhile, Cracking Lass lived up to her name to lift the williamhill.com Doncaster Shield yesterday and star in a sparkling 584-1 treble for Hanagan and Fahey.

The four-year-old won at 11-1 in the feature race after Lord Aeryn had come home at 11-2 in division one of the William Hill Home of Betting Handicap.

She’s A Character (13-2) completed the trio.