Redcar creates racing history on Saturday by hosting the traditional first big race of the 2006 British flat season on turf, when the £100,000 William Hill Lincoln Heritage Handicap heads a quality programme.

It's the first time for over 40 years this famous handicap over the straight mile has not been held at Doncaster, which is currently undergoing major redevelopment and is due to reopen for racing in the summer of 2007.

The race's origins can be traced back to the mid 19th Century on the Carholme at Lincoln. In 1965, the contest was transferred from the now-defunct Lincoln racecourse to the South Yorkshire venue.

There should be a maximum turnout of 30 runners for this year's renewal, due off at 3.15. Champion trainer Sir Michael Stoute who sent out Stream Of Gold to win last year's Lincoln - his first success in the race - will be hoping to emulate the feat with King's Majesty, put in the ante-post favourite at 6/1 under Robert Winston.

The four-year-old is vying for favouritism with Cesare (best-priced 8/1 midweek), also trained at Newmarket by James Fanshawe, who is looking to win the race for the first time. Seb Sanders rides.

Mick Easterby's Gentleman's Deal (Dale Gibson, 10/1), Kevin Ryan's Kamanda Laugh (Neil Callan, 14/1) and Dansili Dancer (16/1) are also prominent in the ante-post betting market. The 2004 winner Babodana is around 20/1 with the race sponsors, the same price as Mick Channon's Capable Guest.

I like the look of Cesare in the Lincoln, although much may depend on the effect of the draw, in which case I'll search for pointers in the opener at 2.05, the William Hill Spring Mile, a £25,000 handicap race for those horses entered for, but eliminated from the Lincoln. Last year's winner Barathea Dreams could be worth keeping an eye on under Darryll Holland if the five-year-old doesn't make the cut for the big one.

The other feature races, all sponsored by William Hill, include the Cammidge Trophy, a £30,000 Listed event for sprinters over six furlongs at 3.50. Last year's winner La Cucaracha went on to be one of the best sprinters in Europe, winning the Group 1 Nunthorpe Stakes at York in August for Yorkshire owner-breeder Guy Reed.

Les Arcs, on fire on the all-weather of late, can go close under Neil Callan if reproducing his form on the turf, while Reverence, Fire Up The Band and Quito also come into the reckoning. Any market support for Amanda Perrett's Royal Storm should also be noted.

Also on the Redcar card is the Brocklesby Conditions Stakes, a contest for precocious two-year-olds, the traditional pipe-opener for juveniles on turf. The five furlongs sprint is due off at 2.40 and the market may be the best guide to this one.

All four reviewed races at Redcar are being shown live on Channel 4, with the remaining two Scoop6 contests coming from the Newbury jumps meeting. In three miles handicap chase at 2.25, Emma Lavelle's Presenting Express has done little wrong in winning his last four races.

There is no reason to suggest that the five-year-old will not run well again, though the big boys have yet to declare their hands.

In the £50,000 novices hurdle for mares over 2m 5f at 3.30, Howard Johnson's Sabreflight could have most to fear from Sunley Storm and Treaty Flyer.

There's also turf flat racing from Kempton, where trainer Richard Hannon and jockey Richard Hughes could have a successful day. It may also be worth having at look at Meditation in the seven furlongs handicap at 3.00, who is fit from the all-weather.

Over the sticks at Bangor, I would be very interested if Mick Fitzgerald rides Nicky Henderson's Brankley Boy in the three miles handicap hurdle at 3.45. Tony Dobbin appears the only danger aboard Len Lungo's Wild Cane Ridge.