Let’s have a go at the elusive Spring Double
Back in the day, punters and bookies did battle for the Spring Double.
A cleverly-promoted bet – almost impossible to get right – it involved finding the winners of the Lincoln Handicap and then the Grand National.
In truth, if you cracked it, you should have been be given the keys of the betting shop – especially in the case of the Lincoln, where clues are sparse.
The all-weather facility does offer Lincoln contenders a run before Saturday’s event – which opens the 2019 turf flat season – over Doncaster’s straight mile.
Two years ago, David O’Meara sent out Bravery to win the flat season’s first big betting heat, ridden by Scot Danny Tudhope, from his Upper Helmsley yard.
This year Humbert represents O’Meara, having left Hugo Palmer at the end of January. At the same time last year, he was in action at Saturday’s meeting.
He ran in the Spring Mile, a consolation race for those whose rating keeps them out of the Lincoln, and he was beaten a neck by High Acclaim.
So we know he can be readied for an early-season assignment and he handles a bit of cut in the ground, should the mainly dry forecast be amiss.
After his Donny run 12 months ago, Humbert was second at Newbury – a neck behind Taqdeer – before winning on Newcastle’s tapeta surface off 97.
That was over the straight mile, which clearly suits the fiveyear-old and, at 14/1, he has a lot more going for him than many of his rivals.
The Grand National, for the purposes of this challenge alone, may be a lot more straightforward, now that Gordon Elliott’s Tiger Roll is a confirmed runner.
The 2018 winner romped home by 22 lengths in the Cheltenham Cross Country race. But his early closing mark is protected and he incurs no penalty.
He is a ridiculous 4/1 for the race. But for the purposes of the Spring Double, if we can start with a 14/1 flat winner, 4/1 will do very nicely, thank you.
As the flat season continues, look out for the excellent apprentice Lewis Edmunds, who can add to his 25 winners last season.
Although the flat trainers championship is likely to go to Aiden O’Brien or John Gosden, keep an eye on the shrewd Andrew Balding in big handicaps.
spring double
Humbert – The Lincoln, Saturday (Doncaster 3.35). 14/1.
Tiger Roll – Grand National, April 6 (Aintree 5.15). 4/1.