Racing Weekly: Horse Racing news round-up - March 31st 2026

Races Now's Harry Fowler keeps you abreast of all the key talking points in British horse racing with his new Racing Weekly column.

Reflecting on Lincoln day as the Flat returns

Flat racing returned this weekend at Doncaster for the Lincoln Handicap, where 21 runners went to post. Time will tell how the race works out, but I must say, I do not think it looked a particularly strong renewal.

The race went the way of Urban Lion. He seems a horse that loves a straight mile track and could be interesting going forward, assuming he does not go up much in the handicap.

But the one I want to take from the race is Tribal Chief.

He was not unlucky as such, but he ran a big race from the back of the field, which not many were able to do. He will have a race of this nature in him this term I believe, but being ridden cold at the back is just his style. So, he could prove a frustrating one to follow too.

There were two Listed races at Doncaster. The first came at 1:50pm, the Cammidge Trophy Stakes, which was won by Aramram – a horse I seem to only back when he gets beaten. He is a cliff horse who makes me look silly every time I convince myself he cannot win.

One I think will win races this season is My Mate Alfie, who drifted markedly before the off on his stable debut for handicap specialist David O’Meara. On a going day, he is one to be with.

The second Listed race was the Doncaster Mile at 2:57pm. A slightly disappointing field saw Docklands win easily, and it looked a nice preparation for bigger races to come. This was the horse’s first victory away from Ascot since his first win at Kempton in 2023.

King ready to rule after Kempton success?

Speaking of action, they provided a decent supporting card on Saturday, where there was a Fillies Listed race at 3:13pm.

Pina Sonata was the winner, but I think she was the only true miler among the first four. Never Let Go, Cathedral and Survie all posted good reappearance efforts but should be better over further as the season progresses.

The 4:28pm, a mile conditions race that was won a couple of years ago by the excellent Notable Speech, was once again dominated by a Godolphin horse, with the 4/7 favourite King’s Trail obliging for punters.

He won comfortably and looks a nice prospect. But at the same time, I do not think he is quite at the level of Notable Speech, and I believe Godolphin have several other promising contenders for the 2000 Guineas, although none stand out above the rest at this stage.

Einstein leaves punters puzzled

Over in Ireland, the biggest talking point of the day was the Gladness Stakes at the Curragh and Aidan O’Brien’s much talked about horse Albert Einstein.

At the start of the day he was the favourite for the 2000 Guineas, with plenty of debate about whether he is a miler or a sprinter. He returned after 307 days off following setbacks last season, and this was the furthest trip he had tackled, on very testing ground.

I cannot say I am surprised by what happened.

He will have needed that run, but I would now be very surprised if he lines up in the 2000 Guineas. I think he will drop back to six furlongs, and I believe he will show himself to be the superstar we have heard about over the shorter trip.

Odds of 12/1 for the Commonwealth Cup look more than fair to me.

Cheltenham cancel remaining meets

Finally, some huge news broke on Monday that Cheltenham would be cancelling their remaining two seasonal meetings at Prestbury Park due to upgrades being carried out on the home straight.

This immediately points back to Trials Day, where we saw the so-called 'pothole derby' in the dark. It now seems clear that a temporary fix was put in place to ensure the Festival could go ahead.

There was outrage in the build up to the Festival about the final hurdle not being in its usual position, but with hindisight, perhaps this was due to that temporary fix, and it was not disclosed because people would have put the pieces together.

While it's disappointing to lose the fixtures, let's hope the remedial work goes as well as it can ahead of the next campaign at the home of jumps racing.