Penitent lands stall one

The race sponsors have been forced to slash the odds of the William Haggas-trained gelding from 9-2 to 3-1 following the final declaration stage.

"It could be a depressing start to the turf season for bookmakers if Penitent obliges for punters on Saturday," said William Hill spokesman David Hood. "If the results of the William Hill Spring Mile prove that he has a favourable berth, he could easily go off around the 9-4 mark.

"Drawn bang next to the rail, with a wealth of pace around him and conditions looking ideal, there can be few excuses on the day.

"We were punished last year with an immense gamble on Expresso Star and the writing could be on the wall for a repeat in 2010."

Michael Dods is happy with the middle draw for Tiger Reigns after the four-year-old was handed stall 13 in a maximum field of 22 for the prestigious handicap.

However, Dods fears his charge may not be as razor-sharp as some of the opposition trained in the south because of the harsh winter.

"He's probably not as forward as some of the southern horses as the weather's been cold up here,'' said the Darlington trainer.

"He's a horse that will be better in about three or four weeks' time, but he's in good form and he'll enjoy the ground.

Leading Yorkshire trainer Richard Fahey has five runners – Extraterrestrial, Albaqaa, Harrison George, Mister Hardy and Prime Exhibit – as he tries to win the Lincoln for the first time.

Ollie Pears has trained Ishetoo specifically for the race at the request of the owners.

The six-year-old, formerly trained by Allan Dickman, is a useful sprinter but has yet to race beyond seven furlongs.

"He's done plenty of work and when the race came to me at Christmas time, the owner said he wanted to try him over a mile in the Lincoln,'' said the Malton handler.

"Everyone knows him as a sprinter but it was the owner's wish to have a crack at the Lincoln so I've prepared him for that."