Bryan Smart, who moved his training operation from Lambourn in Berkshire to Hambleton, near Thirsk, last autumn, can produce an ace in tomorrow's £100,000 Freephone Stanley Lincoln Handicap at Doncaster.

Smart, whose horses have been in excellent form all winter, saddles Atlantic Ace in the first major race of the turf racing season and believes he's got the six-year-old in excellent shape.

What Atlantic Ace has also got is a good draw in the number nine stall. Eight of the last 14 winners of the Lincoln have had a single-figure draw, including the last four.

Atlantic Ace, most effective in a strongly-run race, should get what he requires in this one-mile cavalry charge. Paul Scallan, Smart's new stable jockey, formerly at Aidan O'Brien's Tipperary stable, will be aiming to produce him late on the scene.

In a wide-open race, Atlantic Ace makes stacks of appeal at his current odds of 25-1.

Adiemus, narrowly beaten in this race last year, again looks likely to go off favourite and should run a big race after faring very creditably on the sand.

Last year's Royal Hunt Cup winner Norton, another who has had the benefit of a recent outing, also promises to be involved in the finish, while of those drawn high, Broadway Score, the mount of Kevin Darley, makes each-way appeal at 33-1.

But the local hope will do for me. Atlantic Ace is napped to oblige for Bryan Smart.

Needwood Blade, narrowly beaten in the Cammidge Trophy 12 months ago, has good prospects of going one better tomorrow.

A winner at this meeting in 2001, Bryan McMahon's high-class sprinter was successful at York last September before winding-up the season with a fine win at Newmarket.

Polar Force, trained by Mick Channon, was a decent juvenile last year and should not be overlooked in the Mitsubishi Diamond Vision Conditions Stakes, while Kieren Fallon, with two winners on the opening day, can add to his tally aboard Mesmeric in the Konica East Doncaster Shield.

The best of tomorrow's jumping action is at Newbury, where the £50,000 EBF Crandon Park Stud Mares Novices' Hurdle Final takes pride of place.

Nicky Richards, based in Cumbria, goes south with Glenmoss Tara, and Brian Harding's mount, unbeaten in three outings this season, should take plenty of beating in this Channel 4-televised race.

The Stan James Handicap Chase over three miles looks a good opportunity for Midnight Gunner to continue his excellent form. Barry Fenton's mount has won two of his last three races.

Also worth noting is Richard Fahey's raider Dene View, a dual-winner this season, in the Jimmy Holland Novices' Handicap Chase.

Saturday's tips:

DONCASTER

1.55 Polar Force, 2.30 Mesmeric, 3.05 Atlantic Ace (Nap), 3.40 Needwood Blade, 4.10 To Wit To Woo, 4.40 King Tara, 5.15 Southampton Joe.

NEWBURY

1.40 Reviewer, 2.10 Midnight Gunner, 2.45 Cape Canaveral, 3.20 Glenmoss Tara, 3.55 Dene View, 4.30 Petanque, 5.05 Moscow Fields.

- Tomorrow's other meetings are at Bangor, Kempton and Wolverhampton.

Updated: 12:59 Friday, March 21, 2003