Richard Fahey is launching his usual huge assault on the William Hill Lincoln at Doncaster on Saturday.
The Malton handler has yet to win the race but saddles six this year, with stable jockey Paul Hanagan plumping for Irish Heartbeat, winner of the consolation Spring Mile 12 months ago.
"He's really come to himself and he's very exciting. I've always thought a lot of him and he seems versatile regarding trip. Even if the race was run over six furlongs rather than a mile, I'd still be quietly confident on him. He's got such a high cruising speed and a good turn of foot, he should be perfect for this race," said the champion jockey.
"Hopefully they'll go quick, as they usually do in the Lincoln, and he'll probably be the last one off the bridle. He'll travel well and you've got to ride him with confidence. He must have a good chance.
"It's exciting but I always dread it as we have a lot of runners in it and you always worry you're going to pick the wrong one. But if one of them wins, it will be great for the yard anyway."
Hanagan has deserted Our Joe Mac, who had been an ante-post fancy before beating only one in the Irish Lincolnshire. Tony Hamilton now steps in. Prime Exhibit is another Musley Bank representative and ran a fine race to finish third behind Lowther at Wolverhampton, and is only 4lb higher than when runner-up 12 months ago.
"He was second in the race last year and has done nothing wrong. He's had a better preparation this time. He ran in the Lincoln Trial at Wolverhampton last year, but didn't run as well as he did this year," said Fahey.
"He was a little bit unlucky last time and he's in good order. This is a race I've always wanted to win and would like to have on the CV. We're firing plenty of bullets and I just hope we can hit the target."
Another from the yard with a chance is Castles In The Air, and his jockey Freddie Tylicki said: "On his day, he's a very serious handicapper. He has a good turn of foot and a lot of toe early on in a race. The ideal situation would be to switch him off for the first half of the race and then just creep into it. I can't see why he wouldn't stay a mile."
Fahey also runs top weight Harrison George (George Chaloner) and Brae Hill (Jamie Spencer).
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