FOR others, the notion that spring is on the way can comes in many and various forms.
For followers of the most exciting sport on the planet, the announcement of entries to the Lincoln Handicap usually does the trick.
Yesterday, amid much fuss and excitement, the people at Doncaster stated that the first major handicap of the new Flat season, which is held at their place, had attracted 102 milers, some of whom will be given the opportunity to zoom up the old track's straight course on April 2 in the hope of taking the pounds-100,000 prize.
Call it greedy if you like, but MarkTompkins hopes that one of his animals, St Petersburg, can give him back-to-backwins in the event, which is the first leg of the Spring Double.
The trainer's Babodana led home the procession 12 months ago, and now he plans to try to land the race for a second yearwith St Petersburg, who was twice a winner in 2004, having finished runnerup to Autumn Glory in the Spring Mile, the consolation race the day before the Lincoln for those horses who fail to make the cut for the feature.
"The Lincoln is the plan for St Petersburg and he will go straight to Doncaster, " said Tompkins. "I would hope we'll get some soft ground. He was second in the reserve race last year when beaten by Autumn Glory, who went on to be a pretty good horse. St Petersburg has improved and we just need a bit of luck."
Of course, in a race as prestigious as the Lincoln, dangers will abound, and another trainer who will head for the course with more than just hope for company is David Chapman, who plans to run Quito on the big day.
The former Ayr Gold Cup winnerwon four times last year including in the Listed Wentworth Stakes at Doncaster, while the international line-up includes two Irish-trained horses, Common World and Tolpuddle, plus Pagan Prince and Scapolo from Spain, and France's Royal Guard.
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