G3 runner-up El Bodon bids to produce another strong performance in the Midnite AWC Sprint Trial Handicap (3.12pm), one of the highlights of Lingfield Park’s AWC Trials Day fixture on Friday, February 27.
The winner of each £45,000 handicap on the card will be eligible for free entry to the corresponding Finals Day race at Newcastle, as well as a £15,000 bonus should they go on to win on Good Friday.
El Bodon is on a roll this winter for Jane Chapple-Hyam, with the son of Churchill recording a pair of class two successes at Kempton Park, the latest coming under top weight on February 11.
A novice winner on the all-weather at Lingfield Park in 2023, the five-year-old delivered his standout effort on turf the following spring when finishing second in Newbury’s G3 Greenham Stakes.
Chapple-Hyam and El Bodon’s owner Peter Harris teamed up for Finals Day glory in 2025 with Salamanca, who denied hot favourite Old Harrovian in the Easter Classic.
Chapple-Hyam said: “El Bodon is in good order and, although he has a rating of 101 to contend with now, we are happy to have a go and see how he gets on.
“I liked his latest performance because he was giving away a fair chunk of weight to most of the field, including the favourite, but he was able to overcome that. He is on an upward curve and seems to do just enough to get his head in front.
“A good performance will hopefully set him up for the Sprint final at Newcastle. We will have to see who else turns up on the day, but I think the race will suit him. It will be a question of who improves the most between now and the big day.
“I also have Military Academy for the Easter Classic. He never gets a mention, but I was very happy with his third in the Winter Derby last weekend. He has stepped forward with each run since joining us and hopefully can improve again.”
Top-weight Ferrous landed the six-furlong contest last year for Jack Channon and was a creditable fourth behind Diligent Harry on his return last month, while Lakers lines up for Kevin Philippart de Foy on the back of a closing third in a deep handicap at Southwell on New Year’s Day.
The David Evans-trained King’s Code is the sole winner in action from Newcastle’s AWC Trials Day as he bids to upgrade his bonus opportunity to £35,000 in the Midnite AWC Middle Distance Trial Handicap (4.20pm).
Cesarewitch winner Beylerbeyi and the lightly raced Regal Ulixes, who were third and sixth respectively in the corresponding trial at Newcastle, both reoppose in the 10-furlong contest, while the Denis Quinn-trained Wyld Bill chases his fourth win in a row.
Roaring Legend goes for a repeat success in the Midnite AWC Marathon Trial Handicap (3.45pm), a race he won last year by five lengths when trained by Hugo Palmer. Now with Olly Murphy, the six-year-old was runner-up on his comeback at Wolverhampton earlier this month.
The 2024 Marathon final victor Prydwen lines up for George Scott, while Anniversary is an intriguing contender for Ralph Beckett, with the four-year-old having beaten future Classic winner Scandinavia on debut at Newmarket in 2024.
Apiarist makes his second appearance of the campaign for Kevin Ryan in the BetMGM AWC Mile Trial Handicap (4.53pm). The five-year-old made great strides on the all-weather last winter, ending the season with a third in the Mile final.
Superposition performed well for Ed Dunlop in valuable handicaps at Kempton Park and Southwell during the autumn, although the five-year-old has to bounce back from a below-par effort behind Chancellor last time out.
G3 Sirenia Stakes runner-up Rogue Supremacy heads the weights for the BetMGM AWC 3 Year Old Trial Handicap (2.12pm). The son of St Mark’s Basilica has joined Archie Watson since finishing seventh in the equivalent Newcastle trial for David O’Meara.
The six-furlong contest features six last-time-out winners, including Mick Appleby’s Mr Juggles and Henrythenate, who has won both of his starts at the track since joining Stuart Williams from Charlie Fellowes.
Owner TJE Racing and Williams are also responsible for stable debutant Bridget’s View in the BetMGM AWC Fillies And Mares Trial Handicap (2.42pm) over seven furlongs. The four-year-old disappointed on her final start for Ed Walker but had previously beaten subsequent Newcastle F&M trial victor Stateira by four and a quarter lengths at Southwell.
