Day two of the Lincoln Handicap meeting provided a more family friendly atmosphere with plenty of activities for all ages to go with the hotly contested racing action on the track. The races may have lacked some of the quality of the previous day, but there would be a whole host of runners in competitive contests.

Race One: The William Hill Epic Value Amateur Jockeys' Handicap - Class Four - 1 mile, 4 furlongs - Runners: 7

The meeting started as the previous day ended with an amateur riders' contest to help develop the budding jockeys' skillsets. Last year, the contest would go to Clansman, ridden by seventeen year old Jack Lander. The race has also been won in the past by fully fledged national hunt riders Jonjo O'Neill and Tom Greatrex in the last few years.

The Mick and David Easterby-trained Two Brothers headed the weights for the contest and enjoyed a profitable season in 2023. The son of Sir Percy came fourth in this race last year before going on to win the Cumberland Plate Handicap, a valuable contest at Carlisle, as well as winning at York when last seen. Highly respected amateur rider Simon Walker was in action here and got the leg up on George Boughey's Dubai Crystal, a lightly raced four year old who won impressively at Redcar last season. The grey Adrian won a Group Three race in his native Germany but has yet to beat a single rival in four starts in Britain for Bernard Llewellyn, albeit in tough company. Richard Fahey's veteran Furzig has some smart back form in the book and has been running well enough on the all weather during the winter. Archie Watson's Throne Hall has taken in plenty of variety throughout his career and was ridden by leading female amateur Brodie Hampson. The Bunt remains an unexposed four year old who would be making his turf debut. Now trained by Simon Pearce, he has gone close on his last two starts. Captain Haddock finished runner up last year was back in this race once again, attempting to go one spot higher. The Heather Main-trained gelding would be ridden by her son Henry. 

Winner: THRONE HALL (#5) (Kingman x Appearance) - Miss B. Hampson - A. Watson

The early pace would be nothing more than a leisurely stroll across Town Moor as Two Brothers would lead the field home under Serena Brotherton. The chasing group were content to give the leader some slack in front as Throne Hall raced in second with The Bunt, Furzig and Adrian. Turning for home, Brotherton began to squeeze for more effort from Two Brothers but the response would be limited. Throne Hall had travelled with ease through the race and he was easy to pick out in the group. Taking over the lead at the furlong pole, the race was soon put to bed as Archie Watson's gelding pulled right away from his rivals. Ten lengths further back in second, the race for the minor placings was closer as The Bunt stayed on into the silver medal spot. Furzig settled for third with early leader Two Brothers settling for fourth.
It would be the second win at this meeting for Throne Hall, who landed the ten furlong handicap back in 2021. A smart type in his heyday for Kevin Ryan, the son of Kingman finished placed at the Ebor Festival before moving to Archie Watson's yard. His last win would come over hurdles back in October 2022 and this would break his long losing streak. Given a confident ride by leading female amateur Brodie Hampson, it was a far from a surprising outcome.

Race Two: The Harrison College Your Future Your Choice Handicap - Class Three - 1 mile, 2 furlongs - Runners: 8

The first of a handful of tight contests was up next and it would be one for the newly turned three year olds. Stamina would be in high demand on the heavy ground, but this contest is prone to producing a smart horse to follow. 

The Mark Johnston-trained Curran won twice as a two year old over this distance, a rare feat for a horse that inexperienced but looked to be made of stamina. George Boughey's Amo Racing-owned Timeless Charm made a very impressive start to her racing career with a six length debut win at Kempton in November but was turned over at short odds on her next start. Michael Bell's Prepschool was narrowly denied by Curran at Pontefract last season but was progressing nicely and is bred to be a stayer. Mick and David Easterby's Bust A Move improved with each start and bolted up by seven lengths in handicap company on his final start of 2023 at Newmarket. Spanish Poet made a winning debut last year for trainer Ralph Beckett and faced stiff tasks subsequently and was unable to add to his tally. Caelan was another to win first time out as a two year old and Marco Botti's gelding won again on his three-year-old seasonal debut at Wolverhampton over an extended mile. Karl Burke's Mach Ten has raced just three times but progressed each time. His latest second came over even further than today's distance and stamina would be guaranteed. Gemma Tutty's King Of Spain has a nice upwardly mobile profile and narrowly landed his first win on his third start at Wolverhampton. He had the appearance of a nice staying handicapper for the yard. 

Winner: KING OF SPAIN (#8) (Phoenix of Spain x Clarinda) - R. Scott - G. Tutty

An intriguing renewal of this middle distance handicap provided a potential star in the making. The Charlie Johnston-trained runner Curran unsurprisingly went to the front at the start and dictated the pace. Old rival Prepschool kept a watchful eye on him while King Of Spain travelled smoothly on the inside. The race changed complexion as King Of Spain moved stylishly into contention and brought the improving Bust A Move with him. These pair left their rivals toiling but King Of Spain showed deeper reserves of stamina in the soft ground. Mick Easterby's Bust A Move finished by himself in second with a further five lengths back to the third Caelan and fourth Prepschool

The winner in question looks set for a big year in 2024 as the Gemma Tutty stable landed their second win of the meeting. The son of Irish Guineas winner Phoenix Of Spain is related to some smart stayers; most notably the horse who put Tutty's name on the map, Mostly Cloudy. It will be likely that big money offers will come in for King Of Spain, but for now he will continue to let his talent do the talking as he moved to two wins from four starts. 

Race Three: The William Hill Epic Boost Novice Stakes - Class Five - 7 furlongs - Runners: 7

A mixed bag of ability would line up in this novice event, but a race of this nature can sometimes produce an above average winner. The winners of the last three runnings have all gone on to make an impact in Group company. John Gosden's Theoryofeverything made an impressive debut with a six length win last year before finishing third in the Group Three Greenham Stakes. In 2022, Maljoom was another debut winner and used this race as a stepping stone to winning the German 2,000 Guineas, following the path of 2019's winner Fox Champion. 

Eve Johnson Houghton isn't renowned for first time out winners, but her Balmacara was a big eyecatcher on debut when staying on stoutly into third at Newmarket last November. Lucinda Russell made a flying start to the season at this meeting last year and saddled the twice raced John L Sullivan. The three year old had been well beaten on both starts to date. Heather Main's Judge Frank brought plenty of experience with him and made a very promising debut last year, but failed to confirm the form in three subsequent starts. The Amo Racing-owned Manhattan Mirage is a half brother to 2022's Brocklesby winner Persian Force, so success on this card wouldn't be a surprise. The Dominic Ffrench-Davis trained colt placed twice last season for Alice Haynes. Newmarket based trainer Phil McEntee saddled the twice raced Paddy Powerful, but the gelding would appear to be a longer term prospect. Godolphin were looking to keep it in the family as their Strong Opinion was a half brother to last year's winner Theoryofeverything. The expensive son of Dubawi showed promise alongside steering issues in two races at Newmarket, but his connections made him of obvious interest. Yet another leading yard would be represented, this time Andrew Balding with Ghaihaban. The filly finished second on in two end of season novice events.

Winner: BALMACARA (#1) (New Bay x Utopian Dream) - C. Bishop - E. Johnson Houghton

The seven runner contest looked set to concern just four of the competitors and so it was proven as the main protagonists fought out the finish. Godolphin's Strong Opinion was well supported in the betting and was sent off favourite. However, the gelding was slowly away from the stalls and his chance was hampered at an early start. That would leave Balmacara in front under Charlie Bishop with Manhattan Mirage keeping close quarters to the leader. The filly Ghaihaban would be next in line with Strong Opinion making up for lost ground. Behind these, John L Sullivan was held up in last overall with Judge Frank and Paddy Powerful keeping tabs on the early pace. Approaching the final furlong, Balmacara was still in front but faced a stern challenge from Manhattan Mirage. The Amo Racing-owned colt loomed large and the pair got into a heated battle all the way through the final stages. It would be a case of heads up, heads down as the gelding and the colt continued their battle and crossing the line, Balmacara stuck his neck out the furthest to win for the first time. Manhattan Mirage ran well in defeated while Ghaihaban denied Strong Opinion in the race for the third. 

It would be a first win on his second start for the gelded son of New Bay, Balmacara. Trained by Eve Johnson Houghon, the three year old showed high promise on his debut at Newmarket in a race in which he finished behind a subsequent listed race winner, Zoum Zoum, and a half brother to Frankel, Kikkuli. Here, he showed a willing attitude to gain a first win and he could progress further up the ladder over a longer distance. 

Race Four: The William Hill - NRMB On The Grand National Handicap - Class Three - 6 furlongs - Runners: 14

The first sprint handicap of the turf season would take place with this ultra-competitive event for four year olds and older. There would be plenty of usual suspects in the lineup as they finally returned to the grass following a few runs on the all-weather through the winter. The contest can often be a pipe opener for many runners and these sort of races can have an effect on some of the major sprint handicaps later in the year. Aleezdancer was a comfortable winner of last year's running and had Intrinsic Bond, Tinto, Dream Composer and Swayze, all of whom went on to perform at a higher level later in the season. 

Last year's winner Aleezdancer returned once again for the Kevin Ryan stable and was saddled with top weight as a burden for last year's exploits. Dream Composer managed only seventh in this race last year but went on to become a very smart five furlong sprinter; winning at Newmarket, Goodwood and Sandown in 2023. Michael Dods' Tinto was well held in this race last year but improved as the year progressed and ended up finishing second in the Ayr Silver Cup when last seen. Adrian Keatley's Wobwobwob landed the Ayr Silver Cup and renewed rivalries once again. The popular veteran Dakota Gold returned to the track for another season, now at the age of ten. Chairmanoftheboard is a regular in sprint handicaps and Jack Channon's gelding and despite going winless since 2021, he has posted a host of placed efforts since then. Popular grey Zip landed a handicap here over seven furlongs and would love the soft ground on offer here. Woven is another handicapper to have been around the block and finished second in this race in 2022. He also won on seasonal reappearance last year in a similar contest in May. The Richard Hughes-trained Knebworth landed a quickfire double on softened summer ground last year and kept his form well. Roach Power comes from a quality family for the Tim Easterby stable and finished last season on a high with two impressive heavy ground wins. Blind Beggar is a smart sprinter on his day and Mick Appleby's six year old stayed on well to take second in this race last year. He posted good efforts in defeat on the all-weather through the winter. 2022's winner Bernardo O'Reilly has won seven times throughout his career and has shown a liking to a straight, flat course such as Doncaster and Newbury. John Butler's Brazen Idol ran at a lower level on turf last year but has progressed nicely on the all-weather, winning a good quality handicap at Kempton last time out. Alice Haynes' Parisiac caused a minor surprise by winning a Newmarket handicap at the end of the year over five furlongs, but needed to improve for the extra furlong here. 

Winner: KNEBWORTH (#9) (Awtaad x Stereophonic) - E. Jones - R. Hughes

The race would see an exciting finish in which the judge was called into action. From the start, Brazen Idol reared and lost all chance at the start as he exited his gate many lengths behind. The quirky Dakota Gold was unable to dominate from the front while Aleezdancer was another to leave the stalls in a hesitant manner. Parisiac and Blind Beggar took each other on up front and helped to set the race up for a strong stayer. Woven, Wobwobwob and Chairmanofteboard were just a few names to aim to come late in the day. Towards the head of the group, Knebworth emerged as a big challenger as he took over in front, but had a new name to worry about. Woven had weaved his way through the congested field, but got going a few strides too late. The pair of Knebworth and Woven went head to head and their respective noses gained then lost the lead in seconds. Woven and Knebworh crossed the line together and the judge was required. The verdict went to Richard Hughes's Knebworth and the four year old gained another win. 

The son of Awtaad looks to be progressive and could even rise into pattern company by the end of the year. He landed a quickfire double of wins at Haydock and York last year, but has developed into a useful sprinter. Arriving here on the back of two second places on the all weather, this big field played to his strengths. The win also displayed the talents of young apprentice Ethan Jones, who picked up a nice spare ride. Jones had caught the attention of plenty over the winter by learning his trade of the all-weather. The youngster looks good value for his claim at the moment and should expect to receive more nice rides.

Race Five: The Injured Jockeys' Fund Handicap - Class Three - 1 mile, 2 furlongs - Runners: 10

The action would return to the round course with this good looking handicap for stayers. The ten furlong contest has seen a rising trend for producing hurdlers as former winners Bucephalus, Throne Hall and Matchless all went on to score over obstacles later in their careers. 

The weights were headed by David O'Meara's Percy Shelley, a smart sort in France who won at listed level but was tailed off on both starts in the UK so far. The David Evans-trained There's The Door landed the three year old handicap on this card last year by a wide margin and went on to win at the Glorious Goodwood festival later in the year. The highly travelled Euchen Glen is a former Group Three winner, but has defied his age at times with a fourth place in the Ebor Handicap last summer. Newly gelded Toshizou enjoyed a fun first season with Roger Fell and Sean Murray, which included placings at York, Newbury and Newmarket. Stressfree swapped France for Yorkshire midway through last year and joined the David O'Meara stable. The four year old impressed with an easy win at Nottingham at the end of last season. Lightening Company has seen plenty of racing through his career and won on his seasonal debut last year for Ben Haslam. The Nicola and David Barron-trained Baryshnikov last won in May 2022, but ran well at times last year in good handicaps. Last season's winner Bucephalus attempted to win back to back renewals, just like Archippos in 2018 and 2019. The James Fanshawe-trained Ensured won for the first time by eleven lengths back in 2021 before moving to Hong Kong. He returned to Britain last winter and has run well twice over longer distances. The lightly raced Qitaal was back in Middleham with Charlie Johnston and would be making his first start since early 2022. 

Winner: QITAAL (#10) (Iffraaj x Qaafeya) - J. Fanning - C. Johnston

The early pace was nothing more than a sensible one with plenty of forward racing horses on the soft ground. Last year's winner Buchephalus was the first to make the running under last race winner Ethan Jones with the likes of Ensured, There's The Door and Toshizou all staying on the leader's heels. As the pace increased halfway down the home straight, plenty of chances emerged. There's The Door briefly looked threatening on the inside but her run flattened out quickly. The well fancied Stressfree travelled well into the race under Dan Tudhope as did Qitaal alongside him. It would be the Charlie Johnston-trained Qitaal who showed the best turn of foot and burst into a healthy lead inside the final furlong. Stressfree attempted to go with him, but had no response. Further back, Lightening Company and Baryshnikov both did their best work at the finish by staying on into third and fourth places.

It would be an impressive training feat from the Johnston team as Qitaal made a winning return on his first start since May 2022. Originally trained by the Kingsley Park stable in Middleham, the son of Iffraaj raced three times in 2021, winning for the first time on his third race. He was then transferred to the Ken Condon stable in Ireland where he was seen as a Classic type and raced in a conditions race over there. He would finish only sixth and missed the entirety of 2023. Moving back to Middleham and his first home, Qitaal remained a lightly raced horse with plenty of improvement to offer, as shown here in this competitive event. He would need to avoid the "Bounce" effect next time, but he had his moment in the sun here. It would also be a welcome return to the winner's enclosure for veteran rider Joe Fanning, who escaped major injuries at Wolverhampton in February when unseating from his horse in a race and briefly getting knocked unconcious. 

Race Six: The Music Live At Doncaster Racecourse Handicap - Class Four - 7 furlongs - Runners: 8

Next up would be another competitive and well attended handicap, this time over seven furlongs and just like the sprint handicap earlier in the meeting, the race feature plenty of Yorkshire stalwarts for this level. Last year, the Charlie Fellowes-trained Gorak won the race by a yawning six length margin.

As expected for the start of the turf season, David O'Meara took the wraps of his experienced horses and Ascot Adventure was back in action. He enjoyed a decent season last year which was crowned by his win in the Ayr Bronze Cup in a big field. Liamarty Dreams had the option of the previous day's Spring Mile, but connections opted for this option over his favoured distance. Broken Spear often goes well in softer ground conditions and finished a brilliant fifth in the 2022 Lincoln. Tony Coyle's well travelled gelding had a recent leg stretch a few weeks ago. The four year old Beelzebub is now with his third trainer, the Newmarket based Alice Haynes, but improved for the step up in trip by winning his first start over this distance. Afterwards, he confirmed his stamina with a good third back at Newcastle. Darryll Hollands' Evocative Spark is a son of Frankel and looked progressive as a youngster, but has been inconsistent recently. His last win came last year, but has struggled to make a run of good performances recently. Scott Dixon's Perseverants is another with a patchy record, but a small spell on the turf last season saw him finish second in this race last year. He followed a similar road to this year's renewal after a few runs on the all-weather. Shandy Star was a decent juvenile for Roger Fell and Sean Murray in 2022 but struggled for form during the most of 2023. Her best effort came at Newmarket when runner up in a big field handicap. The four year old Break Point completed the line up, but had finished last on both his starts for current trainer Derek Shaw.
Winner: LIAMARTY DREAMS (#2) (Oasis Dream x Heavenly Verse) - C. Lee - K. Burke
Tactics would prove interesting in this small field and from the outset, there was a split in opinions. Four riders opted for the centre, while the remaining four raced closer to the stands side. The two groups of four competitors then broke formation and ended up spread out across the track approaching the two furlong pole. From the stands side group, Liamarty Dreams took the overall lead and was well positoned to kick on in front. He gained a few lengths on his rivals as Perseverants chased him down. The far side group leader Ascot Advantage was left behind by the front two and it would be the Karl Burke-trained Liamarty Dreams who took home the prize. Perseverants posted an improved effort into second with Ascot Adventure just holding on for third over Broken Spear. 
It would be a fifth success at this distance for the seven furlong specialist Liamarty Dreams, who is also at home on these softer ground conditions. His last win came in June 2023, but he posted plenty of good efforts in defeat and this would be a winning seasonal reappearance. It would also be a first win of the weekend for the Karl Burke stable, who ran plenty of live chances throughout the meeting, but came up short before this race. 

Race Seven: The Groundstaff Appreciation Handicap (Division I) - Class Five - 5 furlongs - Runners: 11

The finale of the 2024 Lincoln meeting at Doncaster would be a  sprint handicap over the minimum distance which was split into two halves. The unpredictable nature of these races can be a challenge to punters with luck in running playing a major role in the outcome. Last year, the race was split into two divisions with Seb Spencer's Little Muddy landing the first leg and Tony Coyle's Ey Up Its Maggie victorious in the last, both of whom were soft ground lovers.

The first half's lineup was headed by  four year old Harrys Halo. The gelding is a former course winner on this sort of ground for Kevin Frost and ran well in defeat last year without adding to his tally of two wins. One half of last year's winners was back again in the this contest, Seb Spencer's Little Muddy. The eight year old mare has shown a good liking to the Doncaster course in the past.  The seven year old Refuge had another busy yet profitable season last year for Mick and David Easterby. Last year's winning stable of Tony Coyle was represented by Selby's Pride, a proven mudlark in the past. She produced a good comeback run at Newcastle a week earlier. Son Of Sampers is another Irish recruit for David and Nicola Barron yard and has just the solitary win. The four year old was kept fit on the all-weather through the winter. Declan Carroll's Fortunate Star was a wide margin winner at Nottingham when getting off the mark for the first time and proved his liking for the conditions. Strong Power was a rapidly progressive sprinter a few years ago, but has been badly out of form in recent times. The switch to Brian Ellison's yard has yet to inspire a return to form so far. Lucinda Russell's Ballyare was last successful in May last year and had been kept on the go on the all-weather during the winter. Adrian Nicholls saddled Thornaby Pearl, a former course winner earlier in his career. Declan Carroll's Rwenearlytheredad had a good first season as a three year old last year and won twice including at Doncaster. He would return to five furlongs for this competitive race. Prospect has better form on quicker ground, but was using this race to blow away the cobwebs for the remainder of the season. Granny B made a winning debut for the Michael Mullineaux stable at Pontefract and remains relatively lightly raced. She ran better than her huge odds suggested at Wolverhampton last time out.

Winner: THORNABY PEARL (#8) (Pearl Secret x Juncea) - P. Mathers - A. Nicholls

The low grade sprinting action got underway with the turquoise silks of Thornaby Pearl getting away to a perfect start and was eager to get home. On the other side of the spectrum, Ballyare would be slowly away and had ground to make up.  Prospect and Refuge were the two rivals to attempt matching strides with Thornaby Pearl, but by the halfway stage, she had burned away any threats. The Adrian Nicholls-trained Thornaby Pearl still travelled well entering the final furlong and Paddy Mathers asked for more, to which his filly responded by drawing further clear. She would win easily by two and a half lengths in a one horse race. Son Of Sampers won the race for second by staying on from the middle of the pack while last year's winner Little Muddy settled for third, just ahead of the recovering Ballyare.

It would be a fifth career win for the six year old Thornaby Pearl as well as her fourth on ground conditions which were on the slower side. By winning here, she confirmed her ability and talent when getting a free lead as she dominated proceedings. Things won't fall into her lap like this race every time, but when they do, she is a very smart sprinter. 

Race Eight: The Groundstaff Appreciation Handicap (Div II) - Class Five - 5 Furlongs - Runners: 10

The Lincoln meeting drew to a close with the second half of the sprint handicap. It saw a field of Northern regulars and plenty of experience on display. 

The weights were headed by the very lightly raced Violets Star, trained by Adam West. Winning on her third and most recent start, she is evidently held in decent regard. Both of Huddle Up's wins came in Ireland earlier in his career and the David and Nicola Barron trained gelding finished in the frame plenty of times last year. The Kevin Frost stable be represented by Papa Don't Preach, who should have more wins than his natural ability suggests. The Jack Jones-trained Maharajas Express showed big improvement for the drop to five furlongs, although that was on the all-weather and he would need to confirm his form back on heavy ground. The shrewd Paul Midgley yard was represented by Glory Fighter. The eight year old finished third in this race last year and would be making his fiftieth start. Showalong began his season brightly last year before his form dropped off and the Tim Easterby-trained gelding would be looking for a similar quick start. Stella Barclay's Danzart recorded a hat trick of wins last summer and would make his seasonal debut here. The Adrian Nicholls yard was represented for a second time with Burj Malinka, ridden by daughter Mia. Zargun has an all-or-nothing profile about him and Scott Dixon's nine year old has yet to display immediate promise recently.

Winner: ZARGUN (#10) (Rock Of Gibraltar x Zenaat) - K. O'Neill - S. Dixon

The finale of the Lincoln meeting got away under the setting sun. From the moment the stalls opened, George Rooke would have issues removing the blindfold on his mount Danzart and when the blindfold was whipped off, Danzart drifted to his left; losing valuable lengths. The remainder of the field got away without drama and up front, Zargun got off to the best start of all. The pace would be decent with the likes of Showalong, Papa Don't Preach and Violet's Star all applying pressure on the leader. After escaping the clutches of his pursuers, Zargun would kick on again under Kieren O'Neill and drew further clear inside the final furlong. Another to enjoy the underfoot conditions, Zargun crossed the line two and a half lengths clear of the staying on Maharajas Express, Burj Malinka and Huddle Up who all filled the first four having been held up early on.

Now a nine year old, Scott Dixon's Zargun has been very inconsistent in recent times, but was once a talented sort. Trained for most of his earlier years in Germany, the son of Rock Of Gibraltar moved to Britain where he was transformed into a sprinter. Finishing second at a Dante meeting in York and winning a Catterick Dash in 2021, Zargun spent a spell in the doldrums running at his home track of Southwell on the all-weather. Returning to the turf, the gelding produced a smart display and looks to be well treated on his old form.