With all eyes understandably fixed on next week’s glorious Cheltenham festival – plans for the start of the Turf season are progressing at pace. William Haggas followers will have circled on the calender the Lincoln meeting on Saturday 28th and double circled the AW finals day on Good Friday.
There is every indication that the ‘supreme master’ of plotting big handicap wins has three major targets aimed at the opening fortnight of the flat season.
Followers will have already noted the target for ‘Wiltshire’ in the AW Sprint handicap final and we can now add Dramatic Star to the 2m final on the same day.
His run over an inadequate 12f at Kempton on Monday was perfect preparation for this race in just over a month. The list of possible rivals is not strong with the ‘Horsewatchers’ improving stayer Ribble Vibe looking one of only a few improving young stayers likely to be entered.
Dramatic Star has always looked to be a potential 100+ horse over a staying trip and starting from a mark of 94 or less ( the handicapper may drop him a pound or two for his Kempton outing ) 2026 could be a very successful year for the Sea the Stars gelding, who can reward the patience shown in him by connections.
The Lincoln Handicap Ante Post market has seen some money for our long term selection Eternal Force now into 9/1 from double figure prices. The yard will test the water with another Lincoln entry, currently priced at 20/1 with the proven AW performer First Principle who heads for the Lincoln Trial at Wolverhampton on Saturday. The 4yo showed improved form on AW surfaces last Autumn and will be well fancied in what looks a highly competitive renewal with the leading yards of Andrew Balding and Clive Cox sending well fancied contenders and the highly regarded La Botte set to run from the James Eustace yard.
My feeling is First Principle will be ready to run a big race but is on something of a scouting mission to test the water for stable mates Eternal Force and Crown of Oaks who head the Lincoln market. Significantly the next declaration stage for the race is on Tuesday 10th March 2026. However my information suggests Crown of Oaks will not be targeted at the event and this afternoon he has come out of the Ante Post markets and stable mate Eternal Force is now a very skinny 6/1 market leader.
The previous Somerville Lodge winners of the Lincoln have gone to the race without a ‘prep’ run and a good performance by First Principle on Saturday, will I suspect, be a significant pointer to the chances of the other Haggas horses with Lincoln entries. If he wins, he will shoot towards the head of the market, but I strongly suspect one or two of the yards other entries will take precedence. If Haggas runs two in the Lincoln – expect both to figure in the top four in the betting.
A couple of well bred unraced horses are due to make their initial appearances on the racecourse later this week. Bin Banna goes to post in a hot looking maiden in the 5.30 at Kempton on Wednesday. By Palace Pier he is bred to be a miler. Rebel Legend has been given an entry in the 10f Maiden at Chelmsford on Saturday – that though looks a minimum trip for the son of Australia. As always with Haggas debutants both are watching briefs only.
The only other entry is Al Maslool who has his second run over the 1m at Lingfield on Thursday at 2.23. Although he showed some promise he looks the type Haggas will aim at handicaps on the turf as the season progresses and he gains experience through racing.
REFA HAG TAG March 2026
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