LEE’S ON PATH T0 GLORY WITH LANE
DAVID YATES
CLIFFORD LEE is targeting a milestone century as he kicks off the Flat season with two leading chances at Doncaster.
The top jockey is booked for Lincoln joint favourite Liberty Lane, 4-1 with new big-race sponsors William Hill.
Lee, fresh from achieving a 2023 personal best of £1.7million in prize money and 83 winners, also rides Cammidge Trophy fancy Marshman.
Both horses are stabled by Karl Burke, who laid down an early marker for the 2,000 Guineas at Southwell yesterday with Night Raider.
Lee said: “I can’t wait for the Flat season proper to start, 100 winners is the goal and I’ve got 19 so far this year.
“It’s nice to get going with some good rides at
Doncaster. Liberty Lane loves some juice in the ground so should be competitive and Marshman is in flying form at home.”
Awaal, trained by Simon and Ed Crisford, is the same price as Liberty Lane after finishing second last year to Migration, a 12-1 chance to double up on Saturday.
All of Doncaster’s sevenrace card will be sponsored by William Hill. And their spokesperson Lee Phelps said: “The Lincoln is a race deep in history that always attracts a high-quality, competitive field, so we’re delighted to be sponsoring it again and we’ll be offering enhanced place terms.”
Night Raider is 20-1 with the firm for the opening colts’ Classic at Newmarket on May 5 after he remained unbeaten by five lengths.
Burke (above), returning to the racecourse for the first time in seven months following cancer treatment, said: “He has huge potential.”