Confirmed runners and riders for the 2021 Unibet Lincoln on Saturday

Haqeeqy leads a field of 22 for the Unibet Lincoln on Saturday on the first day of the Flat turf season in Britain.

The four-year-old is the 3-1 favourite for the heritage handicap with the sponsors and will be ridden by talented apprentice Benoit de la Sayette, who claims 7lb, for John Gosden.

Charlie Appleby has won two of the last four runnings of the Lincoln, which did not take place last year due to the first coronavirus lockdown, and this year saddles 7-2 shot Eastern World, who impressed when winning a handicap at Meydan in February.

Unibet Lincoln: final field

Another key player is Brentford Hope, who will look to pick up where he left off last season for trainer Richard Hughes, while Clive Cox looks to have a leading chance with the 101-rated River Nymph.

Also declared is one-time Derby hope King Ottokar, but his participation remains uncertain after trainer Charlie Fellowes confirmed he would not run unless Doncaster received enough rain before Saturday.

King Ottokar (right): the 15-2 shot's participation hinges on the amount of rain that falls before Saturday's raceCredit: Edward Whitaker

William Haggas saddled multiple Group 1 winner Addeybb to win the Lincoln in 2018 and this year pins his hopes on topweight Johan, who will have to carry 9st 10lb if he is to emulate his esteemed stablemate.

2019 runner-up Kynren will attempt to go one better for trainer David Barron and jockey Connor Beasley, while Lambourn-based trainer Owen Burrows will look to get his season off to a bang with talented four-year-old Danyah.

The Geoffrey Harker-trained Scottish Summit was the last to make the cut, with 39 horses eliminated.

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Unibet Lincoln runners and riders

JohanCieren Fallon
Librisa Breeze Joey Haynes
OrbaanDavid Nolan
Born To Be Alive Clifford Lee
River NymphAdam Kirby
Kynren Connor Beasley
Haqeeqy Benoit de la Sayette
BrunchCallum Rodriguez
GraphiteLouis Steward
Grove FerryWilliam Carver
King Ottokar Ben Curtis
Brentford HopeJamie Spencer
DanyahKieran Shoemark
History WriterKevin Stott
Eastern WorldJames Doyle
Ouzo Sean Levey
HortzadarSean Kirrane
Man Oof The NightRossa Ryan
RevichAngus Villiers
Dashing RogerPJ McDonald
Ascension Andrea Atzeni
Scottish Summit Sam James

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