Talking Horses: Empirestateofmind can stand tall on Flat’s opening day


John Quinn’s five-year-old was an improved performer in the second half of 2022 and can triumph in the Lincoln

William Haggas managed to get Adeyybb, the 2020 Champion Stakes winner, into the 2018 Lincoln off a mark of 99, so Al Mubhir, another lightly-raced four-year-old who progressed steadily at three, will be on most shortlists for Saturday’s renewal of the historic Doncaster handicap that launches the new Flat season on turf.

He is just one among at least six or seven runners with a similar profile, however, including Awaal, Wanees and Croupier, any one of which could find the necessary improvement to win, while the likelihood of testing ground is another concern for lightly raced runners first time up this season.

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