2027 race details

The 2027 Lincoln Handicap is scheduled for TBA at Doncaster, the Saturday of the two-day Lincoln Meeting.

Detail	Value
Race date	TBA
Off time	TBA
Going	TBA
Field size
Distance	1 mile (straight)
Grade	Heritage Handicap (Class 2)
Prize fund	~£100,000

Trials and winter-form anchors

Unlike summer handicaps, the Lincoln has no real turf trial. Form pointers come from:

• All-weather handicaps at Lingfield, Wolverhampton and Kempton through January-March
• The Winter Derby (Lingfield, March) — a good pointer for the classier horses, though most Lincoln runners come out of handicap company
• The Spring Mile Handicap at Doncaster on Lincoln Day itself (run earlier in the card, at a lower rating)

Ante-post markets

Lincoln ante-post books open in January and firm up through March. Racecards are typically 22 declared runners — maximum permitted depending on the safety notice. The classic Lincoln angle is the "progressive handicapper on all-weather who transfers to turf" — horses like Haqeeqy (won 2021) fit this template exactly. Each-way value improves sharply for big-field Lincolns; confirm place terms (four or five places) before committing stakes. The market is historically one of the most-bet handicaps of the year, with significant late-Saturday-morning movement as the going is confirmed.

History and notable winners

The Lincoln Handicap was first run in 1853 at Lincoln Racecourse — the race that gave the race its name. When Lincoln Racecourse closed in 1964 the race moved to Doncaster the following year, and has run there every March since (bar weather-related postponements).

It's one of the two-part "Spring Double" with the Grand National — punters who pulled off the Lincoln/National double at the end of the winter historically earned bookmaker-busting payouts. The tradition has faded slightly with all-year-round racing and modern calendar density, but the Lincoln still marks the emotional start of the flat-racing year.

The legends

Babur (1993) trained by Barry Hills — one of the first of the modern generation of winners who proved a winter lay-off could actually benefit a handicap miler.

Fivepenny Piece (1996) — David Loder's stable — won off 92, setting the template for "progressive 4-year-old handicapper" as the Lincoln winner profile.

Arenting (2006), trained by Clive Brittain, gave 3-year-old horses another signature in the race — Lincoln winners have historically included a mix of 3-year-olds with progressive all-weather form and older, proven handicap milers.

Penitent (2010) — Godolphin's Michael Bell-trained winner — was one of the shorter-priced favourites in recent years to land the race.

Haqeeqy (2021), trained by John and Thady Gosden, was the most hyped recent winner: a lightly raced 4-year-old who transitioned smoothly from winter all-weather form.

Kamra (2024) — Charlie Johnston — and Forever Together (2025) in the modern era have continued the race's tradition of throwing up upsets and well-handicapped progressives in big fields.

What wins the Lincoln

The Doncaster straight-mile course rewards:

• Pace and positioning — low draws (1-6) have historically been favoured on fast ground, high numbers (18-22) on soft
• Genuine 4-year-old improvement — 4-year-olds who improved through the all-weather winter have the classic winner profile
• Handicap mark 90-100 — top-weights can win but it's harder; well-handicapped improvers off 92-98 have the best strike rate
• Going flexibility — Doncaster in late March can be anything from soft to good-to-firm; versatile runners are the safer bet

Recent roll of honour

This section updates after each year's running — see /racing-news/ for the most recent race result article.

TV coverage and how to watch

The 2027 Lincoln Handicap is live on ITV1 (free-to-air in the UK).

UK terrestrial — ITV1 / ITVX

ITV Racing's Lincoln Day coverage typically runs from approximately 1:30pm on the Saturday of the two-day Doncaster Lincoln Meeting, carrying four races from Doncaster plus cross-course action from Kempton or Uttoxeter. The Lincoln itself is traditionally the fourth race on the card, off around 3:35pm; the exact off-time for 2027 is TBA once confirmed.

ITVX carries the coverage live and on demand after the event, free to UK viewers. Lincoln Day marks ITV Racing's return to a regular turf flat-racing schedule and routinely draws strong post-winter audiences.

Racing TV

Racing TV carries the full two-day Lincoln Meeting (Friday and Saturday, ~14 races total) with extensive pre- and post-race analysis. For ante-post and form-analysis detail through the meeting, Racing TV is the richer feed. Subscription or day-pass required.

Sky Sports Racing

Sky Sports Racing does not hold rights to the Lincoln Meeting — Doncaster is on Racing TV and ITV on this weekend. Sky Sports Racing will show the other Saturday fixtures complementing Doncaster (typically Kempton or Uttoxeter).

International

• Ireland: Racing TV (via UPC / Sky Ireland) or ITV if local rights apply.
• US: Racing TV's American feed and some OTB providers carry British flat handicaps.
• Australia: Sky Thoroughbred Central carries selected UK flat fixtures; confirm with your provider.

Replays

ITVX (free) and Racing TV (subscriber archive) keep the race available on-demand. The Racing Post and ITV Racing's own YouTube channels usually post the race video within hours of the result.

Off-time reminders

Lincoln Day runs a packed card with seven races on the Saturday. Expect the advertised TBA to move by no more than 1–2 minutes unless the stalls handlers take extra time with the 22-strong Lincoln field.

Raceday at Doncaster (Lincoln Day)

Getting there

Doncaster Racecourse is at Leger Way, Doncaster, DN2 6BB — in South Yorkshire, 90 minutes by train from London King's Cross. The nearest station is Doncaster (LNER, Grand Central, CrossCountry) with a 15-minute walk or short taxi to the racecourse.

Drivers: Junction 3 of the M18, then the A638 or A18 into Doncaster. Free on-course parking plus paid reserved options closer to the entrance.

The enclosures

Three main tickets for the Lincoln Meeting:

• Clocktower Enclosure — best viewing, covered seating, access to parade ring and winner's enclosure. Dress code applies.
• Grandstand & Paddock — main public enclosure with good rail views and paddock access.
• Family Enclosure — budget option with children going free.

Lincoln Day tickets sell out well in advance — book by early March through doncaster-racecourse.co.uk.

On the day

• Gates open around 11:00am.
• First race is usually 1:45–2:00pm.
• The Lincoln Handicap is race 4 on the card, typically off around TBA.
• Parade ring is busy 30 minutes before each race — the Lincoln's 22-runner field fills the ring and the paddock walk is an event in itself.
• Spring weather: Doncaster in late March can be anywhere from crisp-sunshine to sleet-and-wind — don't assume "it's spring now" means warm. The going update published the morning of the race is essential reading for serious punters.

Dress code

Clocktower Enclosure: smart casual (collared shirt for men, no ripped jeans or sportswear). Grandstand & Paddock and Family: no dress code — warm layered clothing is essential. Doncaster in March regularly hits single-digit temperatures with a stiff wind. Pack gloves, scarf and waterproof outer layer.

Food and drink

Multiple food outlets on-course from traditional pie-and-a-pint to gastropubs and street-food traders. Bars across all enclosures. The Leger Suite and other hospitality packages offer upgraded food and views.

Betting

Tote facilities and on-course bookmakers across all enclosures. ATM cash machines on-site but expect queues on Lincoln Day — bring cash if you plan to bet at the rails. Our bookmaker comparison guide covers online alternatives if you'd rather place from the stand via your phone. Lincoln Day is historically one of the top three or four betting days of the flat-racing year.