Hurricane Alan can get punters off to a flying start at the three-day Lincoln meeting with victory in the Stanleybet Doncaster Mile today.

The action on Town Moor all builds towards the big handicap on Saturday but Richard Hannon's five-yearold can take some of the minor glory before the weekend's fiercely-competitive showpiece.

This Listed race is a major drop in class for the entire who bounced from Group race to Group race last term and should have come on a bundle for his seasonal bow when third in the Winter Derby at Lingfield.

Although Hurricane Alan only got his head in front once last term, when landing the BETFRED.com Mile at Sandown in April, he displayed his class on a number of occasions and was not beaten far in a number of top contests.

He didn't enjoy much luck in running when only six lengths behind Soviet Song in the Group One Sussex Stakes and he also chased home Lucky Story and Norse Dancer at Salisbury later in the season.

His trainer has started the new Flat season with his team firing on all cylinders and with much weaker opposition and the ground to his liking, Hurricane Alan merits a substantial interest.

Another trainer to have hit the ground running in the first week of the season is Mark Johnston, whose inmate Tarraman looks to have outstanding claims in the Badsworth Maiden Stakes.

The once-raced son of Fusaichi Pegasus caught the eye on his debut at York last October when finishing runner-up to Daring Ransom, with an odds-on Godolphin hotpot back in third.

The first three home managed to pull nicely clear of the pack that day and Tarraman had arrived on the Knavesmire with a pretty lofty reputation.

Last season's experience should stand him in good stead as he ran green on his debut and the Classic entry can get off the mark at the first time of asking as a three-year-old.

Rydal held his own in an all-weather campaign without managing to get his head in front, but he is certain to strip fitter than some of his rivals in the doncasterracecourse.com Handicap.

The Gerard Butler-trained four-year-old ran well to finish about two lengths behind winner Master Robbie when third at Lingfield last time out, flattening out in the final furlong of the race.

That was over seven furlongs but he has done by far the bulk of his racing at shorter trips and the drop back to six today should be in his favour.

The day's only jumps meeting is at Ludlow where Mini Dare is worth a small investment in the Moore Scott Handicap Hurdle.

Oliver Sherwood eight-year-old appreciated the drop from three miles when just getting touched off by a head at Hereford earlier this month.

He kept on that day and with Tony McCoy on board again, he can go one better here.