Racing: Result confounds punters' predictions

HIGH PREMIUM holds on after an enterprising ride by Kieron Fallon to take the Lincoln at Doncaster on Saturday in a far-rail finish which confounded most punters' predictions.

Mizaaya and Will Of Steel followed Fallon home with all three having left supposedly unfavourable low-number stalls. There were no complaints from Lynda Ramsden, who sent out both the winner and the third, with the performance of High Premium earning particular plaudits as he was running for the first time since Royal Ascot last year.

Ramsden's success also raises the possibility that women trainers could complete the Spring Double for the first time, as Jenny Pitman's Royal Athlete continues to shorten in the market for Saturday's Grand National. The Gold Cup third is now as short as 6-1 favourite with Coral and Ladbrokes, while the trainer's second-string, Garrison Savannah, is 16-1 with both firms.

Other Aintree moves yesterday concerned Romany King (10-1 from 12-1 with Coral) and Captain Dibble (10-1 from 12-1 with Ladbrokes), for whom David Bridgwater was yesterday confirmed as jockey. Bridgwater advertised his claims to Captain Dibble's trainer, Nigel Twiston-Davies, with a fine recovery when a fall seemed certain on Grange Brake at Newbury on Saturday. Peter Scudamore is expected to partner Chatam, 16-1 from 20-1 with Ladbrokes yesterday. Photograph: Ed Byrne

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