Mastermind may answer Lincoln puzzle

Mastermind remains on the same 100 rating, but looks open to improvement enough to land a big handicap such as this.

He's done well over the winter and the fact he stays beyond a mile will help in testing ground. Although his best form has come on a faster surface, he ran well for a long way in very soft going in the French Derby.

Drawn 4, he relies on Hail The Chief or Kirovski to make the pace among those drawn low, while Bomb Alaska, Peartree House and Ridgeway lead the charge on the other side.

A lead would be preferable until the latter stages, but Mastermind showed at York that he's perfectly capable of making his best way home alone.

Stablemate John Ferneley won last year's Lincoln when also trained by Cole, then exiting from stall 1. Now facing the other extreme of berth 24, he finished close up from slightly higher marks in more competitive handicaps last summer and merits respect.

But he may be best on ground just either side of good and is also vulnerable to last year's runner-up King Priam and sixth Espada, on 6lb and 10lb worse terms respectively. The latter is of more interest as he relishes soft ground and can improve for new handler Jeremy Glover, who hit the ground running with Perryston View at this meeting last year. Each-way claims.

An even greater threat is Swan Knight, who twice changed stables during the past 12 months - from John Dunlop, to Mick Quinn and now to Martin Pipe. He scalped a high-class recruit to hurdling in Dark Shell on his sole jumps start at Win-canton last month and the runner-up went on to dot up at Huntingdon last week.

Swan Knight is only 3lb higher than when winning at Bath last September and holds Atlantic Rhapsody, Highland Reel and Pulau Tioman on these terms. His latest handler has made himself at home on the Flat of late and he must go close at a decent price.

Berkhamsted trainer Peter Harris missed the cut with his Lincoln hope, Katy Nowaitee, last year and had to settle for the reserve Spring Mile event instead. He has a very good chance of gaining compensation with Kirovski.

This gelding boasted progressive form in 2000 and, although he met defeat trying soft ground at Ascot on his final start, it was a creditable effort against more experienced rivals.

Cole fields favourite Nimello and seeks his third Lincoln in five years. His charge revels in soft ground and, fit from the all-weather, is only 4lb higher than his best winning mark. But he was only 12th last year and is strictly held by Atlantic Rhapsody on their Newmarket encounter last October, leaving him something to find. Poor value.

Classy Ridgeway must be feared while Bomb Alaska also has claims if rediscovering his 1999 sparkle.

Lincoln selections: 1, Mastermind (nap); 2, Swan Knight; 3, Kirovski; 4, Espada.