2010 WILLIAM HILL LINCOLN FLAT RACING TIPS

We've got 22 talented runners set to go 1m at Doncaster in the William Hill Lincoln, but all eyes are on Penitent (Kyllachy) who is the betting favourite at a 3/1 price. William Haggas has taken this one twice in the past and his talented four year-old has plenty to offer here. While he may not boast a blockbuster record full of emphatic handicap victories, he is a there-or-thereabouts type with plenty of guile for the run-in. This race tends to go in the direction of the favourites and we expect heavy volume on Haggas' bay gelding. 

Penitent is head and shoulders ahead of the bulk of the competition with his closest competitor, Mull of Killough (Mull of Kintyre), trading at a lengthy 11/1. Prime Exhibit (Selkirk) is just behind at 12/1, but he's never actually won at 1m and is really a horse that tops out around Class 2. I don't see either of them getting an advantage from the softer going so I think there are better options out there for your each-ways or the bottom-end of your forecasts if you're looking to back Penitent to get the 2010 flat season off with a bang.
Eddie Ahern saddles top-weighted Mia's Boy (Pivotal) at 14/1, which is good value on a charge that may be poised to strike against a field that he is capable of beating if things go his way. He ran a very solid second to Gitano Hernando (yes, that Gitano Hernando) in a class 3 at Wolverhampton back in September. For those who may not be following the Dubai season, Gitano Hernando is now trading as co-favourite in the 2010 Dubai World Cup- a $10,000,000 race. You really can't ask for a better reference than that and I'm tempted to back Mia's Boy for the upset here. I think he's your value play and Penitent has not run against the type of talent that Mia's Boy has lined up alongside.
Collateral Damage (Orpen) managed to best Mia's Boy last November in a field of 20 when sent off at 8/1. He's been in really exceptional form since the middle point of last season where he took six from seven races. He may need the race today, but I expect him to mount a solid challenge and to be part of the final equation. I think he can be especially dangerous if he can get up there with the leaders early, but not have to deal with too much early pace. I still think Mia's Boy is a more solid bet, but Collateral Damage is a value play with the form he has and the 16/1 listing. 
My top 3 are Penitent, Mia's Boy and Collateral Damage for your tricasts.