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Comment

BACKING Blythe Knight (4.00) in his attempt to win a second Lincoln Handicap might not be a bad idea in this afternoon's one-mile Doncaster feature.

John Quinn's versatile eightyear- old won the 2006 race when it was staged at Redcar, after which he went from strength-tostrength, both on the Flat and over jumps.

Firstly Blythe Knight snapped up a brace of valuable Group 3 prizes at York and Epsom, then turned his hand to the National Hunt arena.

Having cut his teeth over timber in an egg-and-spoon Bangor event, Quinn's evergreen gelding blitzed a talented field to take a Grade 2 event at the 2007 Aintree Grand National meeting.

That's some record, but comes as no surprise to followers of Quinn, who has long been talked up in these columns as an outstanding trainer.

"The ground got a little sticky on him in the Champion Hurdle, but he didn't have a hard race and has come out of Cheltenham fine," said Quinn.

"He's rated 110, so it makes sense to claim off him. Brian (McHugh) is a good rider who has gained plenty of experience and can use the full 7lbs allowance."

It goes without saying that the prudent investment option is to bet Blythe Knight each-way, which means a decent return if he makes the first four at predicted odds of around 20-1.

Middleham handler James Bethell has also taken the trouble to book McHugh for Fossgate (5.40) in the closing mile-and-ahalf Apprentices' Handicap.

Fossgate has been primed with a couple of spins on the allweather, outings which should have ensured he's cherry-ripe to get involved in the shake-up.

The March Handicap sees Fossgate's stable-mate, Granston, try an extended mile-and-a-quarter, a distance which may stretch his suspect stamina beyond the pale.

If, as anticipated, the grey gelding runs out of gas at the furlong marker, Suits Me (5.10) may be the one to swoop and secure the cash.

Thomas Tate's raider showed much-improved form towards the end of last season, banking lucrative prizes at Ayr, plus over today's course and distance.

Tate is no stranger to getting his inmates fit for their comeback, so it's not beyond the realms of possibility that Suits Me will make a winning return to action.

It's hard to remember such a cracking renewal of the six-furlong Listed Cammidge Trophy, fancied to fall to Tax Free (3.25).

The David Nicholls-trained sprinter won first time out in 2005, a feat he repeated last year when crushing some quality speed merchants at Thirsk.

Further wins for Tax Free at Newmarket, Naas, and Longchamp, two of which came in Group 3 company, proved he's a high-class act.

There's some terrific jumping at Carlisle, where Cheakapeakray (3.40) is going to be all the rage in the three-mile totescoop6 Handicap Chase.

Donald McCain's mare can count herself extremely unlucky to bump into Himalayan Trail over a similar distance at Bangor this month.

Cheakapeakray led throughout with a fabulous exhibition of jumping, but just as I was about to celebrate an 8-1 winning nap, Himalayan Trail came flying by on the run-in.

The latter was a 33-1 no-hoper in the market that day, however he proved it was no fluke by winning last Saturday's Midlands Grand National.

Haydock's Red Square Novices' Handicap Hurdle Final brings together some smart youngsters, including a beautiful beast by the name of Silver By Nature (3.00).

Although Lucy Normille reckons her charge will make a "lovely chaser", there's no time like the present to capitalise on an inform horse.

Richard Guest brings back Donovan (3.35) from a 118-day break to contest the Sports 360 Handicap Hurdle.

Donovan's chase rating shot up to a heady 120 as a result of a sparkling four-timer over fences during a pure-gold autumn campaign.

Fortunately for Guest, Donovan's mark over the smaller obstacles is an over-generous 18lbs lower, a big advantage he seeks to exploit in the two-and-a-half-miler.

8:55am Saturday 22nd March 2008

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