Who would have thought that this time last year we were basking in spring sunshine and this time last week Doncaster had to abandon the Lincoln due to snow!
Blow
That race now clashes with the world's richest race, the Dubai World Cup, at Meydan.
The draw for the race was made on Wednesday with low to middle numbers the most favourable and there was a blow for US raider Animal Kingdom, the winner of the 2011 Kentucky Derby, who has been drawn out wide in 12.
Saeed bin Suroor trains three of the 13 runners, with leading contender Hunter's Light coming from stall four, African Story in 11 and Kassiano widest of all in 13 to complete the team for bin Suroor, but he is a hold up horse and will be able to be dropped in by William Buick.
Last year's winner Monterosso also runs for Godolphin, but he is trained by Mahmood al Zarooni, he will come out of stall 10. Last year's second Capponi will start from stall five and is also trained by Al Zarooni.
American trainer Bill Mott will be pleased with stall eight for Royal Delta; she won the Breeders' Cup Ladies Classic last November and also won it in 2011, but was only ninth in this last year.
There are three British runners: Marco Botti saddles Planteur (stall seven), Ed Dunlop has globetrotting Red Cadeaux (stall two) who has been pointing his toe on this surface since arriving in Dubai, and Andrew Balding has Side Glance from six.
Hunter's Light has been running well in Dubai this winter; he's won both his starts including round three of the Al Maktoum Challenge last time out. He has plenty in his favour and the demands of the track suit him well.
The American challenge is strong, but they don't seem to excel here and as a result I'd be keen on Hunter's Light for Saeed bin Suroor and Silvestre de Sousa.
Secret Number is well fancied in the UAE Derby with some good judges feeling he is still value at his current price (2/1 with Sky Bet). The horse has only had the teo career starts, both for Saeed bin Suroor. He won a mile maiden on the all-weather at Kempton and then won on his Meydan debut in a nine-and-a-half furlong Listed race on the tapeta surface.
He has a superb pedigree being a son of Raven's Pass and a half-brother to group one-winning milers Dubai Destination and Librettist and looks smart. He is improving and should take the beating over the course and distance he was successful over last time out.
Reward
At Kempton, it's worth noting that Ed Vaughan has decided to re-route Dance and Dance from the Lincoln to the seven-furlong Conditions race on the all-weather and I think he will reward that decision.
To some of the other action and there is some excellent racing in Ireland at the weekend with the Irish National at Fairyhouse the feature on Easter Monday.
David Pipe looks like running Junior in the three-mile, five-furlong contest despite him being burdened with top weight, but conditions are ideal for Rich Revival and his season has been geared towards this race.
He won the Leinster National over three miles last time out and his jockey that day didn't think he would have any problem staying this trip. Heavy ground is ideal, he is bred to suit it and is proven on it. He is lightly raced and deserves his position at the top of the market.
Marasonnien hails from the stable that dominated at Cheltenham and he's trained by Irish Champion Willie Mullins. Gigginstown House Stud have multiple entries with Gordon Elliott's Romanesco the shortest in the market for the owner followed by Sweeney Tunes for Paul Nolan.
Home Farm is another leading contender for Arthur Moore; he's an interesting novice who looks on the up but I wouldn't be certain this son of Presenting wants a real slog on heavy ground.
Magnanimity is another Gigginstown horse, trained this time by Dessie Hughes. He hasn't won since January 2011 but has been mixing it in very good company and running with credit.
Rich Revival has a favourite's chance and he looks capable of running a big race for Liz Doyle.
Selections:
Lahaag in the Lincoln Handicap @ 8/1 with Sky Bet
Brae Hill in the Lincoln Handicap @ 12/1 with Sky Bet (each way)
Hunter's Light in the Dubai World Cup @ 7/2 with Sky Bet
Secret Number in the UAE Derby @ 2/1 with Sky Bet
Dance and Dance in the Conditions Stakes at Kempton
Rich Revival in the Irish National @ 8/1 with Sky Bet
