"And finally....", as they say on the news, turf flat racing returns today. Newcastle is the venue for the Lincoln, a race traditionally run at Doncaster, but re-routed due to that track's major renovation work ongoing.Its an impossible race for me, and I wish you well if you're having a bet. The only thing I would say is that both the Lincoln and the Spring Mile have prolific all weather winners as relatively short favourites. I'd be opposing them both for a place - I don't think they can win on this surface. (Egg on face surely awaits after a statement as brazened as that!)For me, the joy is elsewhere. I shall be at Kempton this afternoon, watching my beloved Rapid City go through his paces. He's a very good horse and should be four from five in UK (he was beaten into second when given way too much to do three starts back; and was simply outpointed by a smarter horse when beaten into second by Mighty last time: that horse has since shown himself to be one of the top five middle distance AW horses this Winter by finishing close up in the Winter Derby).Rapid should run well, though the race will definitely blow a few cobwebs away. (He did win on seasonal debut, but that was in a much softer race).He also has questions over the suitability of the course and the distance, having never tried either before.For all those apparent negatives, I am still hopeful of a decent run and - flushed with a few quid from the midweek football (see the post below) - will be entertaining him as the winner.Lopinot is one of many dangers in the race. Look out also for the run of King's Majesty. This horse was very decent for Sir Michael Stoute before being bought cheaply. If his new trainer has ironed out whatever ailment caused him to be so lightly raced, this beastie could have a lucrative season... (Or he might finish lame and last, putting my hopes to bed at a stroke!)Good luck to you if you're playing at Newcastle today - just time for a quick plug of my trainer statistics guide for the flat called, inspiringly enough, TrainerFlatStats!. You can find all the details you need at www.trainerflatstats.comBest RegardsMatt Bisogno