Knight On Course For Lincoln Repeat

Blythe Knight is in 'good nick' ahead of his bid for back-to-back victories in the William Hill Lincoln at Newcastle on Saturday.

John Quinn's versatile seven-year-old landed last year's renewal by three-quarters of a length and despite failing to score subsequent to that last term, he acquitted himself well in other competitive handicaps.

Sent hurdling this winter, he again performed admirably and had been under consideration for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham until connections reassessed their options.

'I just decided to keep him for the Lincoln really as I didn't want him to have too hard a race beforehand at Cheltenham,' Quinn explained.

'He might still go to Liverpool over jumps but he's fit and well ahead of Saturday. He's in good nick and won't mind the ground.

'He's fit as he's had three races over hurdles and been first, second and third and then he was second in a conditions race on the all-weather at Wolverhampton.'

The North Yorkshire handler has also entered Kings Quay and Focus Group in the traditional curtain-raiser to the Flat season and says the latter is likely to join Blythe Knight.

'Kings Quay won't run but Focus Group will be declared,' he added.

'Whether he gets in or not I don't know ? he might get in the Spring Mile but he'll run (in the Lincoln) if he gets in.'

Focus Group has not been the easiest to train but proved too smart for subsequent Group One-scorer Notnowcato less than two years ago and Quinn hopes he can make his presence felt at the weekend.

'He's had his problems but if he comes really right then he could be interesting,' he concluded.

Blythe Knight currently trades at 12-1 with the sponsors to repeat his 2006 heroics, while Focus Group can be backed at 33-1 with the same firm.

(C) PA Sport