Lincoln market sharpens up

The market for the Lincoln Handicap on 23 March burst into life yesterday with Sharp Prospect and Beauchamp Jazz attracting support.

The former, trained by Reg Akehurst and a runaway winner of the Spring Mile consolation event last season, kept the Ladbroke phone lines busy and was been supported down from 25-1 to 12-1 favouritism.

Similarly, Beauchamp Jazz, trained by champion trainer John Dunlop, was the subject of some hefty support down from as high as 33-1 to 16-1.

One punter staked pounds 1,000 each-way on the Gay Kelleway-trained Samwar at 33-1 with the Tote, who subsequently brought the four-year-old into 20-1.

Among the other horses to attract money were Neville Callaghan's Tarawa, Mary Reveley's Billy Bushwacker and The Queen's Beyond Doubt - a springer from 33-1 to 12-1 joint-favourite with Ladbrokes.

Latest betting with William Hill, the race sponsors, is: 12-1 Sharp Prospect, 14-1 Beyond Doubt, Tarawa, 16-1 Beauchamp Jazz, Billy Bush-wacker, Decorated Hero, Delta Soleil, 20-1 others.