THE stats say he can’t win. They say he’s too old. John Quinn doesn’t buy it and, on past form, neither does his stable star Blythe Knight.

No nine-year-old has ever won the William Hill Lincoln Handicap but it is a fool who discounts the Norton trainer’s stalwart when he takes his place at Doncaster with 21 other runners tomorrow.

Quinn’s great day, Character Building’s bid for glory in the John Smith’s Grand National at Aintree, is still a week away.

Liverpool can wait. It’s on the Town Moor where Quinn is focusing.

The task is stiff.

Only Lady Deauville is rated higher than Blythe Knight, who will have to successfully carry a lot of weight around the mile course if he is to be victorious.

But there have been few horses like Blythe Knight.

He’s a winner and a trier. He gives his all. He’s one of those horses the public adore.

The Lincoln has fallen to him before – in 2006 when it was held at Redcar because of redevelopment work at Doncaster.

And 12 months ago, at a price of 22-1 – the kind of odds he will be available at tomorrow – he so nearly made it a Lincoln double, narrowly falling to a late charge from Smokey Oakey.

He’s won the Diomed Stakes at Epsom the past two years and he has even won a Grade 2 race over hurdles at Aintree.

Blythe Knight is simply a fantastic horse.

“I thought initially he would be a dual purpose horse,” Quinn said. “We went to Newmarket to see him and he’s a beautiful looking horse. He’s really well made and he had great form in the book.

“He had been looked after. He’s very durable and sound and he has a very good attitude. He’s comfortable within himself. He’s a very good eater and he doesn’t worry.

“They are great attitudes whether they be in a human being or a racehorse. He’s willing and he has got plenty of speed. The ground will be fine. When he has won his races at Epsom, the ground was dry. I would much prefer decent ground than heavy.

“His age is a bit against him but he’s in good nick – well the stats are against him. The stats say he can’t win.”

Freddie Tylicki’s job is to make sure he can.

The talented German apprentice shot to prominence when steering Flying Clarets, trained by his boss, Malton trainer Richard Fahey, to glory in the John Smith’s Cup at York Racecourse last July.

Tylicki, who has already notched up two winners from four rides in 2009, takes a valuable five pounds from Blythe Knight’s back. He’s well drawn too. It might just make all the difference.

Quinn is under no illusions. The Lincoln is a cavalry charge and there are plenty of dangers around. The Highfield handler thinks Luca Cumani’s Swop is the one to watch.

“I saw him win at Nottingham and he did it pulling a truck,” he added. “I think the handicapper only put him up ten or 12lbs and he must have been playing golf then.

“He looks like he has been laid out for the race. He ran in Dubai and ran well – so he looks ahead of the posse. But you can only train your own horse. That’s all we can do, and he loves it.”