A standing start and the 2700m of tonight's Thames Cup have trainer Ray Green warning punters to be careful with Sir Lincoln.
Last season's 3-year-old of the year looked back to his best with a brave win over tonight's key rival, Devil Dodger, when they met three weeks ago.
But that was a 2200m mobile event as opposed to tonight's 2700m standing start, in which both have a 30m handicap.
"I am not so worried about the handicap because they are the two best horses in the race," said Green.
"But the standing start is more of a concern. He wasn't fast away in his first stand two starts ago and I think it will take him a while to get the hang of them."
Green also doesn't believe Sir Lincoln is at his best past 2400m.
"I think most of the stock of Mach Three are at their best over shorter trips and my fella definitely is at this stage."
Devil Dodger does have the superior staying record though, having won over 2700m and being placed in last season's Derby over this trip, whereas Sir Lincoln has been placed only once in five attempts over 2700m.
The pair are both headed for open class so have a huge edge on their rivals tonight, so with Green's concerns, Devil Dodger deserves to start favourite.
The big recent improver in this grade is Stirling Point, who beat many of these in the Winter Cup last start. That was after he made a flyer from the standing start to lead by 10 lengths early.
Sir Lincoln at disadvantage
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