Owen bids to get Flat season off to a flyer with 50-1 and 20-1 ITV tips

The flat returns on Saturday, with Doncaster staging a card that includes the Lincoln. There’s plenty of pattern action too, with the Doncaster Mile and Cammidge Trophy being the supporting cast. Away from Donny, Newbury also hosts a great card which is headlined by the Grade 2 Novices’ Mares’ Hurdle Series Final.

We’ll have ITV Racing tips for all eight of the free to air races, but I’ve gone hunting for some big priced runners. With competitive action throughout the terrestrial action, there’s plenty of value to be had. Find all three of my ITV outsiders below, including a 50-1 chance in the feature!

2.35 Doncaster – Dawaaleeb (20-1)

Highly consistent on the All-Weather over the winter, Dawaaleeb can put his race fitness to good use on his turf return. Winning on a pair of occasions at Newcastle to cap off 2020, Les Eyre’s charge was last seen finishing a close fourth at the same venue off a pound higher.

He’s certainly more exposed than most at the age of seven, but he’s reliable and a very tough customer. Usually a front-runner, he was fourth in this race back in 2019 off a six-pound higher rating. Although he’d prefer to make the running, he can also be held up, which does give his rider Lewis Edmunds plenty of options.

The ground is in his favour too, with both his turf victories coming on sounder surfaces. He’ll be happy to push a contested pace and off a tempting rating, he won’t be relinquishing the lead without an almighty fight.

3.10 Doncaster – Revich (50-1)

A dual winner last summer, we likely haven’t seen the best of Revich just yet. Richard Spencer’s five-year-old was mainly progressive last term, including a close fifth in a competitive seven-furlong Ascot handicap. He was caught flat-footed that day and looked set to tumble through the field, but he rallied bravely late on and flew home into never-nearer fifth.

His final effort of last season at Doncaster is easy to forgive and stepping up to the mile should really suit him this term. He’s tried the trip just once thus far in his career and it was back in August 2018. He was seeing out seven furlongs with vigour last season and returning at the age of five, the mile is set to be his optimum trip.

The Lincoln will provide him with a strong test, which is what he craves, and the sounder surface is also in his favour. Angus Villiers removes five pounds off his back and with Spencer’s string in fine form, there’s a huge amount to like about his chances at huge odds.

3.45 Doncaster – Royal Commando (20-1)

Posting his best effort last season on return, Royal Commando is perhaps best caught fresh. That aforementioned run came on the biggest stage of them all, Royal Ascot. Sent off 200-1 for the Commonwealth Cup, he ran a mighty race to finish fourth. Although he was unable to build on that in three further 2020 starts, he was set some difficult assignments.

He does have something to find with the protagonists here, but his best performances give him a fighting chance. Ground conditions will suit him and he’ll be granted a strong gallop to chase. Dropped back to his optimum six furlongs on seasonal debut, he’s one to take very seriously for Charlie Hills.

If you back any of our selections you can watch them live on the free Racing Post app or racingpost.com. Simply log in to one of your bookmaker accounts and click ‘Watch live’ on the racecards.