ALTHOUGH we have yet to experience the Irish and Aintree Grand Nationals and the Punchestown Festival, the start of the turf flat season kicks in this afternoon with the traditional curtain-raiser, the William Hill Lincoln Heritage Handicap (3.35) at Doncaster.

This year’s renewal has an extraordinary open look to it with last year’s first and second, Migration and Awaal, set to lock horns again. The winner gave the second home 2lbs and beat him a length-and-a-quarter and is now 4lbs better off so there should be little between the pair again. Both came down the stands side that day, the winner right against the rail and finishing very strongly, but this time around both are drawn on the low side where most of the fancied horses are.