Chris Cook talks to the worried trainer of a Lincoln hope and gives his top tips

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Some anxious trainers will be walking the track at Doncaster before the Flat turf season begins this weekend, following a video tweeted by the North Yorkshire-based Roger Fell, who found bare patches near the five-furlong start on Tuesday and described the ground there as "like concrete".

Roderick Duncan, the clerk of the course, has said the area Fell focused upon is a crossing point for both pedestrians and the jumps circuit, and therefore not representative of the whole, but he accepted that grass cover could be better.

Among the horses whose participation is in some doubt is King Ottokar, fourth in the betting on the Lincoln. "He's better on a soft surface," Charlie Fellowes told The Front Runner, "so, first run of the year, we're just playing it simple and we're not going to be risking him if we don't get the rain.

"I spoke to the clerk of the course earlier and he was very honest and said they're not happy with the covering of grass. It's a shame because it's one of the best turf tracks in the country, in my opinion, and we want it in as good condition as possible. So to be starting off on a poor wicket is not ideal. Hopefully, it's retrievable and when we get some spring weather the grass will start to grow.

"Both King Ottokar and Chief Of Chiefs [in the Cammidge Trophy] will be major doubts on Saturday if they don't get any rain. That said, the clerk of the course said if they got rain, even on the lower end of what is predicted, he would expect it to go good-to-softish, which would be fine.

King Ottokar (right): a doubt for the Lincoln on SaturdayCredit: Edward Whitaker

"I will 100 per cent walk the course, either on Friday or try and get up there early on Saturday, depending on when the rain hits. No decision will be made until I've had a look at it."

But Richard Hughes, whose Brentford Hope is third in betting lists, was more sanguine, saying: "That ground, if it rains on Friday, will be good to soft. Even if they call it good. If it's quick, I won't run but I doubt it'll be that."

Brentford Hope closed the 2020 season with a Haydock win but Hughes is not happy that he was raised 10lb, considering the form has not been advertised by the beaten horses. "He won a bike race. There'll be horses going there, up 10lb because the second has come out and won two races.

"He's working well, I'm happy with him. Both the races he's won on the bridle but all his other races, when he comes off the bit, he finds nothing."

Jamie Spencer is surely the right choice of rider for such a horse and the 40-year-old hopes Brentford Hope can become his first Lincoln winner. "I've generally been in Dubai on this weekend but, with the restrictions, it obviously wasn't possible this year," the jockey said on Wednesday.

"He's a talented horse. On his last run, he looks to have an obvious chance as a progressive four-year-old. You'd hope a fast-run mile would suit him. I'm not so sure he needs soft or heavy to show his best."

Spencer, like Hughes in his previous career, has proved adept at landing big-field, straight-course handicaps. As my colleague James Pyman points out, Spencer has won the Britannia and the Sandringham at Royal Ascot four times each and he has also bagged the Cambridgeshire, two Spring Cups and a Royal Hunt Cup.

But the Lincoln has made him wait. He has been second, third and fourth. Maybe this time?

Thursday's picks

It is just possible that I am in danger of following Ashington (4.25) over a cliff and he was, after all, beaten 40 lengths when favourite for the Scottish County Hurdle last month, his first run since changing stables.

But Thursday's race at Sedgefield looks a lot more winnable, the ground looks a lot more suitable and Sean Quinlan replaces a 7lb claimer, so it is hard to know why he's a slightly bigger price, at 3-1, than he was the last time.

The step up in distance has been good for Apache Creek (1.45), a dual winner from the Jonjo O'Neill yard who can go in again at short odds at Ludlow.

The veteran Goodnight Charlie (2.07) has found a weak race at Chepstow and a repeat of the form she showed when second at Warwick last time would probably be good enough.

Members can also read Graeme Rodway's best bets for the day here

Three things to look out for...

1. Having chased home Shan Blue in an Irish point some years back, Hurling Magic ought to be a decent prospect but the 1.15 at Ludlow will be just his second start under rules. Perhaps this is where it all starts to go right for the seven-year-old, representing Nicky Henderson and Owners Group 035, who teamed up for a winner on Wednesday.

2. We never got to see The New One over fences but his three-parts brother The Newest One will have a crack at the bigger obstacles in Ludlow's 2.15. He's winless so far but excuses can be made.

3. Bapaume looks like being a very short favourite as he drops miles down in class for a Cork hurdle race at 2.30 that is either a confidence-restorer or an attempt to get Paul Townend an easy win for the title race. The opposition is not threatening but who takes 1-5 about a horse who has not won over hurdles for almost three years?

One story you must read today

Lee Mottershead's wonderful series on pro punting through the ages this week concludes with this look at what the future holds for people who wish to bet for a living.

If you're not yet a subscriber but would like to continue reading The Front Runner beyond this week, you can sign up now for a 20 per cent discount off your first year when you take out an annual subscription. You will also receive our Ultimate Daily emails plus our full range of fantastic website and newspaper content, including tipping from the likes of Pricewise and Paul Kealy, all the big interviews and features, daily comment and news analysis. Simply enter code CHRISCOOK at the checkout before Sunday, March 28 to receive your discount.