The Lincoln Trial at Wolverhampton has quietly become one of the most informative early-season handicaps on the all-weather. Run over just shy of a mile and a quarter, it regularly throws up horses heading towards the Lincoln at Doncaster or other major spring handicaps. This year’s renewal looks competitive on paper, but the profiles of the runners quickly narrow the race down.
The Trends
Recent history tells us plenty about the type needed. Winners tend to sit in the mid-90s to low-100s ratings bracket, are usually four to six years old, and arrive here either fit from a recent run or with clear untapped potential.
It is rarely won by exposed handicappers grinding away at their level. Instead, the race often goes to a progressive horse still ahead of the assessor.
With a strong pace forecast, the race should be run honestly. Wolverhampton’s extended mile often rewards those finishing strongly rather than the ones forcing things early.
The Main Contenders
La Botte is the obvious starting point. Harry Eustace’s four-year-old looked a very smart handicapper in the making last summer, finishing a narrow second in the Britannia at Royal Ascot in a huge field. That form is well above the usual standard required for this race.
He returns from a long break carrying top weight but remains open to improvement and has already shown he handles the all-weather. If he has strengthened over the winter, this mark of 104 could easily prove lenient.
Andrew Balding fields two runners and both deserve respect.
The Lost King arrives race-fit after two solid efforts at Kempton this winter, winning before finishing a close second. He is clearly thriving on artificial surfaces and Oisin Murphy’s booking adds further confidence. However, a wide draw may force him to do a little more work early than ideal.
Regal Ulixes produced the highest rating in the field on HRB figures after winning at Lingfield last week. The hood appeared to settle him and there could still be improvement to come. The concern is stall twelve, which is never ideal around here.
Course specialist Kingdom Come cannot be ignored. He won this race in 2024 and comes here off the back of a recent Kempton victory. However, at seven years old he looks exposed compared to some of the younger improvers in the field.
First Principle, trained by William Haggas, is another progressive four-year-old with a solid all-weather record. He is respected but returns from a short break and this represents a deeper handicap than those he has contested previously.
The Verdict
Strip away the noise and this race looks set up for a horse with class and finishing power.
La Botte possesses both.
His Royal Ascot form sets a clear standard, and this strong pace should play perfectly into the hands of Jamie Spencer’s patient riding style. Provided he is ready after the break, he has the profile of a horse who could quickly move beyond handicaps this season.
Selection: La Botte
The main danger looks to be The Lost King, while Kingdom Come could run another solid race without necessarily winning.
If La Botte is anywhere near the level he showed last summer, this Lincoln Trial should be his to take.