PAUL HANAGAN expects Irish Heartbeat to run a big race in tomorrow’s William Hill Lincoln Handicap at Doncaster.

The champion jockey will partner the Richard Fahey-trained six-year-old in the first big contest of the new Flat season.

Neither the Warrington jockey nor his trainer Fahey have landed the one-mile contest but they hope to end that tomorrow.

Irish Heartbeat – a best-priced 11-1 with William Hill, totesport and Stan James – landed the consolation race for the Lincoln, the Spring Mile, 12 months ago. And he is one of six entered among the final 22 from the Fahey stable.

But Hanagan decided to ride Irish Heartbeat ahead of last year’s runner-up Prime Exhibit, Our Joe Mac, Castles In The Air, top weight Harrison George and Brae Hill.

And after he was handed stall seven in the draw, Hanagan said: “I’m looking forward to it and the horse is in great order.

“I think we’ll just have to wait and see with the draw, but I’d be quite happy with what we’ve got.

“Last year the winner came up the far side, but I won the Spring Mile (on Irish Heartbeat) coming up the near side, so you can win going both directions.”