The flat turf action returns this weekend and the aptly-named Leader Writer will carry my money in the 32Red Lincoln Handicap at Doncaster (3.35).

The Yorkshire track is set to be pretty testing tomorrow and should suit proven soft-ground milers, and Henry Spiller’s improving six-year-old fits the profile.

Leader Writer ran to a very decent level in France and was a winner on heavy ground at Compiegne, prior to making the move to Spiller’s yard ahead of the 2017 turf season.

Lightly-campaigned, the bay colt ran a cracker when third in the Shergar Cup Mile at Ascot prior to a decisive win back at the same course and distance a month later, notably in testing conditions.

Never able to get involved in the Cambridgeshire subsequently, Leader Writer made a pleasing reappearance when fourth at Lingfield in early February, shaping well enough and running on well without being able to get to course-specialist Chevalier.

This smacks of being the plan for Leader Writer since the end of last season, he sneaks in here off a mark of 97 and Fran Berry is a solid booking, having ridden him on his past three outings including that Ascot victory. He’ll do for me at 16-1 (general).

Leader Writer has also been declared for the the 32Red Spring Mile Handicap (2.25) but seems far more likely to run in the Lincoln, and that could prove a wise option as Lord Of The Rock could prove a tough nut to crack in the earlier race.

Still fairly lightly-raced, this six-year-old won this race two years ago under Paul Mulrennan (booked again tomorrow) on soft ground, with cut in the ground bringing out the best in the gelding.

Lord Of The Rock has been hit-or-miss over the past two seasons, basically either winning or throwing in a stinker, but one key factor has preceded his two victories since 2016, namely lengthy breaks of 231 and 118 days respectively.

Off the track since November 11, Lord Of The Rock could be ready to go first time out for new trainer Jedd O'Keeffe, having made the switch from Michael Dods. O'Keeffe tends to do very well with his new recruits from other yards and I expect him to go close at a massive 25-1.

Ben Pauling’s four-year-old has only had two starts since joining the yard from France and was involved in one for the most dramatic races of the jumps season so far when a neck second to Nayati at Ascot in January, with final flight carnage bringing an end to the chances of the leading pair.

However, Oistrakh Le Noir seemed to have learned plenty about the job when bolting up at Market Rasen just two weeks later, making all and quickening clear nicely up the home straight.

Some guesswork is needed regarding a host of handicap debutants here, but Pauling’s horse does appear to have been given a chance by the handicapper and Daryl Jacob’s booking at the five-day stage suggests a strong indication he will run.