PAUL Cole has made a habit of winning the Lincoln in recent times and Nimello's victory last year was the third win of the Flat's first big handicap in five renewals for the Whatcombe handler.

However, The Judge, Cole's main hope for this year's event, failed to make the cut for Saturday's race but can gain compensation in the randombet.com Spring Mile at Doncaster this afternoon.

The son of Lear Fan was a late developer but started to come into his own at the end of last season and he was value for considerably more than the official winning margin suggested in a Hamilton maiden in September.

He looked the likely winner of a most competitive York race on his handicap debut on his only subsequent outing, but he failed to get home having travelled supremely well for much of the way.

With a winter on his back to strengthen him up, he should be a different proposition this term and he's already shown that he can handle easy ground.

James Given is a trainer to follow this season and his recent acquisition Tom Tun looks one to be interested in for the Town Moor Handicap over six furlongs.

This tremendously game and consistent performer was in good heart when he was last seen in January but, as is the case with many sprinters, he could well be revitalised by the change of scenery after his former trainer Julie Craze decided to call it a day.

There's little doubting that he's on a fair mark - especially if the switch does bring about improvement - as he finished second to the enigmatic Cadeaux Cher in the corresponding race last year.

High numbers had the edge in races over the straight course yesterday, so he looks to hold solid claims from this 22 of 22 draw.

Tweed has been in the form of his life since being stepped up to two miles on the sand of late and he's taken to go close from a much lower Turf mark in the orderit-online.com handicap.

John Best's progressive stayer handles easy ground, should be suited by this extra distance and is preferred to another sand improver, Positive Profile.

Mark Johnston's Gala Gold, who has reportedly been working well, is the fancy in the Mexborough Maiden over seven furlongs and her trainer can initiate a double with Shanook in the opening mile and a quarter maiden.

Over the sticks at Kelso Hades de Sienne looks an interesting runner at double-figure odds in the Ashleybank Investments Scottish Borders National Handicap Chase over four miles.

The ability to get four miles in very testing ground will be more than several of these can manage. But it's not a concern for Andrew Parker's seven-year-old, who should go well despite racing from out of the handicap.

He came a cropper last time when equipped with a visor, but it's significant that the headgear is left off this time and he's taken to beat long distance traveller Lordberniebouffant.

Just Maybe also loves testing ground, comes here in good form and is the selection in the GG.com National Hunt Novices Hurdle over two miles and six furlongs.

A less obvious selection is Eastern Tribute, who is also out of the handicap, in the handicap hurdle over two miles and two furlongs at 2.25.

His last two runs have to be forgiven but he's from a stable very much in form and conditions are no problem. He should give punters a good run at decent odds.

* Tony McCoy intends taking a well-earned break in the sunshine next week to recharge his batteries for the Grand National.

After partnering Venetia Williams' Noisetine to a comfortable 12-length success over Dame Fonteyn in the Wincanton Four Weddings Mares Only Novices Hurdle at the Somerset venue, the champion jockey revealed his plans.

He said: ''I'm off to Marbella on Sunday for a few restful days in the sun.

"I will only miss Newcastle and Kelso on Monday and Tuesday, when I would not have had much chance of any rides anyway.

''It will give me a nice break and hopefully I will return with all guns blazing for the run up to the National meeting.''

McCoy, who now needs only five winners to break Sir Gordon Richards' record of 269 in a season, denied the mini holiday would stop him gaining his long-term aim of 300 winners this term."