Ante-post favourite Morando ruled out of Saturday’s Lincoln at Doncaster by trainer Roger Varian after suffering a setback
Varian's four-year-old was a best-priced 5-1 shot for the feature race on the first day of the Flat turf season but he has met with a setback which rules him out of the race
ANTE-POST favourite Morando will miss the Lincoln at Doncaster on Saturday after suffering a setback.
Roger Varian's four-year-old has won three of his previous starts and was a best-priced 5-1 chance for the feature event on the first day of the Flat turf season on Town Moor.
However, Varian ruled him out shortly before declaration time.
Varian tweeted: "Unfortunately, Morando will not run in the Lincoln Handicap @DoncasterRaces on Saturday having incurred a minor setback this morning."
A maximum field of 22 will go to post for the fiercely competitive handicap, with John Ryan's Battle Of Marathon heading the weights.
Leading contenders include Roger Charlton's Yuften, the Robert Eddery-trained Donncha and Bravery from David O'Meara's yard.
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Gabrial, the winner two years ago, is part of a formidable challenge for Richard Fahey, with stable companions Third Time Lucky, Heaven's Guest, Dolphin Vista and Withernsea all in the final field.
Fahey said: "Dolphin Vista probably has the best chance; ideal draw to follow pace wherever it is."
Brian Ellison is double-handed with the popular Top Notch Tonto and Dream Walker.
The Martyn Meade-trained Chelsea Lad, heavily backed during the week, is a notable absentee after he failed to make the cut.
