Side with Polygonal at 25-1

Greenwich Meantime, about whom the same was said. In addition, Polygonal has decent winning form on soft in France.

So what of the draw? Stall eight may not be seen as a gift from above, but it is by no means a disaster, particularly now that the race has been restricted to fewer runners and that the horse is unlikely to be asked to force the pace. Indeed, given jockey Jamie Spencer's track record, it would be no surprise to see him tack across to follow the more prodigious pace, courtesy of high-drawn New Seeker and Cardinal Venture, on the stands' side.

The fact that he has won over trips in excess of this mile suggests that he will be finishing strongly while others have done their running.

As far as Polygonal's current well-being is concerned, reports emerging from the Ramsdens' Yorkshire base could scarcely be more encouraging. The condition affecting his balance which truncated last season has been cured by expert veterinary attention in Newmarket, while he is reportedly working extremely well at home.

Perhaps, though, it is the least scientific reason for backing the horse that is the most compelling: trainer's husband Jack Ramsden is known to have taken an interest at a big price.

He has few peers when it comes to the finer nuances of handicapping. There may be more obvious contenders, but the 25-1 still available with Coral and Skybet about Polygonal is extraordinarily tempting.

For those who fancy a saver on a horse with less oblique claims to lifting this year's Lincoln, the two to be feared most are Stream of Gold and the aforementioned New Seeker. The former is in the expert care of Sir Michael Stoute, is entirely unexposed, and handled soft ground well when scoring comfortably at Newmarket last autumn. The latter has been gelded over the winter and will make a bold bid from the front. His price, though, is now a little prohibitive.

Selections for the Lincoln 1 Polygonal 2 Stream of Gold 3 New Seeker 4 Appalachian Trail