UK: Baker sets up Revenge bid

George Baker is likely to be represented by Jack's Revenge rather than Belgian Bill in the rearranged William Hill Lincoln at Doncaster on Saturday.

The Manton trainer is leaning towards re-routing Belgian Bill to a conditions stakes at Kempton on the same day because of the prospect of soft ground in South Yorkshire.

Baker said: "With it being soft and heavy in places up there, I'm probably going to run Belgian Bill at Kempton for the conditions race because he's got form on the track. Jack's Revenge will probably go to the Lincoln."

Dance And Dance could also be switched to the Sunbury venue for the same race, though trainer Ed Vaughan is likely to make a late call. He said: "We'll make a decision closer to the time. We'll monitor what the ground is like at Doncaster. I wouldn't want to run him on heavy ground.

"I know it's seven furlongs at Kempton, but it's OK as a starting point for him this year if we don't run him in the Lincoln. He takes a bit of getting ready and he's the type of horse I don't really want to have a hard race on heavy ground on his first run back."

In something of an exodus, Shamaal Nibras is set to go for the same Kempton heat after trainer Richard Hannon chose not to confirm him for Doncaster this time.

"We won't be sending Shamaal Nibras up to Doncaster for the rescheduled Lincoln on Saturday - instead he will probably go to Kempton, where we could have a few runners," the Herridge trainer told his website.

Nine Realms was another notable absentee from a list of 60 horses left in at the confirmation stage for the Lincoln, which was snowed off last weekend. William Haggas decided not to declare the leading ante-post fancy at last Thursday's final declaration stage and has not had second thoughts.

The weights remain headed by the Richard Fahey-trained Majestic Myles, while the new list gives places to Anderiego and Chosen Character. They would have taken their chance in the consolation race, the William Hill Spring Mile, had the meeting gone ahead as originally scheduled.

Doncaster clerk of the course Roderick Duncan said from Southwell, where he also clerks: "The track has continued to thaw and the last I heard it was 80% clear of snow. If the weather is anything like it is at Southwell, the ground could well be drying out, as there's a strong wind. Let's hope that's the case."


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