Botanical will attempt to carry joint top-weight to victory on his first start for Karl Burke in the William Hill Lincoln at Doncaster on Saturday as the new Flat season gets under way.
A smart performer for Roger Varian and George Boughey, he has subsequently joined Burke for 2026.
He is joined on 9st 12lb by La Botte, the ante-post favourite trained by Harry Eustace. An unlucky second at Royal Ascot, he caught the eye when fourth in the Lincoln Trial at Wolverhampton.
Other leading fancies declared include William Haggas’ Eternal Force, the James Owen-trained Rogue Diplomat and Simon and Ed Crisford’s Shout.
In the season-opening William Hill Bill Turner Memorial EBF Brocklesby Stakes, Amo Racing run two aiming to improve their good recent record in the race.
Robson De Aguiar trains both and hopes to launch his Flat season on British soil on a high note.
Mullingar-based De Aguiar, who primarily trains for Amo, worked alongside Adrian Murray before taking over the licence last year.
He runs Blixen Force and Ocean Club, both sons of Persian Force who won the race in 2022.
De Aguiar said: “I only took out a licence recently and I pre-trained a few horses that won the Brocklesby. I pre-trained Persian Force and the horse that won last year (Norman’s Cay), so hopefully this year the winner could be one trained by me.
“Blixen Force is the strongest, he’s been working well and he’s been in good form and hopefully he’s putting himself down and if he does in the race what he’s doing at home he will be competitive.”
Another notable runner is Arrbob, the first for the latest training partnership of Richard and Peter Fahey.
Five will go to post for the Listed William Hill Doncaster Mile, with two Group One winners amongst them.
Eustace’s Queen Anne winner Docklands and Ralph Beckett’s surprise Sussex Stakes scorer Qirat add a touch of class to the card.
