John and Thady Gosden to start new joint-licence era on Saturday

Haqeeqy will be the highest profile of the first runners to operate under the new joint John and Thady Gosden training arrangement when he lines up in Saturday's Unibet Lincoln Handicap at Doncaster.

Earlier this month, five-time champion John Gosden confirmed he would become the highest profile trainer to operate under a shared licence when his son Thady's BHA paperwork was completed.

The paperwork has now been rubber-stamped and the Gosdens will have entries at Kempton and Wolverhampton on Saturday as well as at Doncaster for the curtain-raising meeting of the Flat turf season.

John Gosden said: "It was always the plan to launch the dual-licence for the start of the Flat season and only delays on BHA modules due to Covid-19 prevented it being in place on January 1. We'll make our first entries under the new licensing arrangements for next Saturday."

The new set-up recognises the growing role played in the running of the Clarehaven yard by Thady, who recently completed his modules at the British Racing School.

Thady, 25, supervised the training of $20 million Saudi Cup winner Mishriff in Saudi Arabia last month but will not be around to see the launch of the new venture as he is on his way to Dubai to oversee final preparations for World Cup night on Saturday, when the yard has three entries in Mishriff (Sheema Classic), Lord North (Dubai Turf) and New Treasure (UAE Derby).

Other British trainers to have embraced the joint system are Simon and Ed Crisford, Paul and Oliver Cole, and Daniel and Claire Kubler.

Haqeeqy (blue silks): has 'a nice chance' in the Lincoln, says John GosdenCredit: Dan Abraham

Among the first to run for the Gosdens will be Global Giant and Almighwar at Kempton, while Haqeeqy will try to give the yard a win in the Lincoln, the opening day highlight and traditional first leg of the spring double.

On the chances of getting the dual-operation off to a successful and high profile start, Gosden snr said: "Haqeeqy breezed around Waterhall on Friday morning and went nicely.

"He's yet to score beyond seven furlongs but shapes as if he should get a mile and goes there with a nice chance. We've had the Lincoln in mind for him for some time."

James Doyle is chasing an unprecedented third straight win in the Lincoln and looks in pole position for the treble as he rides Dubai import and ante-post favourite Eastern World.

The 4-1 chance, who arrived back in Britain only last Thursday, ran out an impressive winner of his sole outing at the Dubai World Cup Carnival when landing a 1m1f handicap in the Godolphin colours at Meydan on February 13.

Eastern World will have a 5lb penalty to carry at Doncaster but that has helped him beat the cut as he needs only one entry to drop out to make the final field.

Trainer Charlie Appleby said: “Eastern World only arrived back with us on Thursday but looks in good shape and cantered this morning.

"We have a good record in the Lincoln and we thought this looked the right spot for him after his comeback win at Meydan, where he bolted up. Hopefully, it will be nice ground and he goes there with a decent chance."

Doyle combined with Appleby to win the Lincoln with Auxerre when the Lincoln was last staged in 2019, and he steered the classy Addeybb home in 2018.

No jockey has won the Lincoln for three consecutive runnings since the race was moved to its current home in 1965.

If you want more on this story . . .

John Gosden to share trainers' licence with son Thady but rules out retirement

Colin Tizzard to hand over training licence to son Joe later this year

Simon Crisford and son Ed set to break new ground with joint trainers' licence

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