Penitent is one to beat as Expresso misses the Lincoln

The John Gosden-trained five-year-old was due to carry top weight in the traditional curtain-raiser but has been taken out of the race.

Gosden has, however, left in Doctor Crane, owned by his wife Rachel Hood.

As a result of Expresso Star's defection, Chris Dwyer's Mia's Boy heads the 76-strong list of possibles.

The ante-post favourite, William Haggas's Penitent, has stood his ground – as has the Brian Meehan-trained Manassas, winner of last year's Spring Mile, the Lincoln's consolation race.

Richard Hannon's Vitznau, winner of the Lincoln Trial at Wolverhampton, is guaranteed a start due to the penalty he incurred for that success. The field is limited to 22 runners, with Clive Cox's Dunn'o occupying the final spot.

Former winner Smokey Oakey, prolific scorer Collateral Damage, who refused to enter the stalls for the Lincoln Trial, and Tartan Gigha are all engaged.

Conditions look like being on the soft side. The ground is described as good to soft but an unsettled week is forecast, said clerk of the course David Williams.

"If we get the rain that's forecast, and we could get up to 15mm in one day, then it will definitely be soft ground," he said. "The course has struggled this winter and we are at least a week to a fortnight behind in grass growth."

William Hill bet: 6-1 Penitent, 9-1 Manassas, 14-1 Mull of Killough 16-1 Doctor Crane, Mia's Boy, Tiger Reigns, 20-1 Collateral Damage, Huzzah, Prime Exhibit, Vitznau, 25-1 Extraterrestrial, Harrison George, Viva Vettori, 33-1 bar.

Kauto Star has been scratched from the bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown on April 24.

Paul Nicholls stated on Sunday the four-times King George VI Chase winner was unlikely to run again this season.

Also scratched from Sandown are New Alco, disappointing in the William Hill Trophy at Cheltenham after a long absence, and Iris De Balme, who was pulled up in the Midlands Grand National on Saturday.

The same two horses have also been taken out of the Grand National.

Deep Purple is on course for Aintree after delighting trainer Evan Williams on his comeback run at Cheltenham.

The nine-year-old was fourth to Albertas Run in the Ryanair Chase on Thursday after breaking a blood vessel in the King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day.

The Melling Chase over two-and-a-half miles on April 9 is the likely target, but Williams will also look at the totesport Bowl a day earlier over five furlongs further.

Today marks the end of an era as our long-serving racing writer John Mooney casts his expert eye over the formbook for the last time.

During his 10 years as The Duke, he has been a regular in the higher reaches of the Racing Post naps competition – his 16-1 nap Buena Vista consolidated his position in this season's top three at last week's Cheltenham Festival.

After 17 years at the Press Association, Mooney has finally decided to take a step back.

"His willingness to share his limitless racing knowledge and experience has been a vital factor in the development of many an aspiring racing scribe, and there are plenty of journalists and pundits who can count John as a massive influence on their career," said colleague Jason Ferens. "He will remain one of the most prominent and respected members of the Yorkshire racing scene."