Accomplished stayer Prydwen tops the bill at Southwell on Friday, December 12, as he faces eight rivals in the Midnite A Next Generation Betting App Handicap (7.30pm) over an extended two miles.
The seven-year-old posted a comfortable victory in the Marathon final – renamed the Midnite Easter Plate from next year – on Finals Day in 2024 and progressed again to plunder the G3 German St Leger at Dortmund later that year.
Trained by George Scott, Prydwen was denied another significant prize as he was caught in the final strides of the Watergate Cup Heritage Handicap at Chester in September.
He makes his second start of this season’s All-Weather Championships after finishing eighth in a two-mile handicap at Kempton Park in October.
Scott said: “Prydwen has been a star for us over the years and, although there always comes a point when they look like they are getting a bit long in the tooth, he is ready to go.
“I suppose at his age now he will have to keep proving himself – and he did just that at Chester when Darragh Keenan gave him a great ride and they were unfortunate to get caught on the line.
“I find horses are a little harder to read at home as they get older, but he is giving me the right signs and we know he likes Southwell as he won a nice race there last year from 3lb higher in the weights.
“Provided he is in good form, the plan is to keep him on the go with a view to getting him qualified again for Finals Day.”
Prydwen concedes weight all round in a field full of proven performers, none more so than Enemy, who won the Winter Derby Trial at this track in 2024 before a head second in the G3 Red Sea Turf Handicap in Saudi Arabia.
Enemy’s trainer Ian Williams and owners Tracey Bell & Caroline Lyons are also represented by Oneforthegutter, who captured a heritage handicap at Newmarket’s July Festival earlier this year.
Charging Thunder has produced some strong efforts on the all-weather for James Owen, including taking third in the Northumberland Plate and a Racing League handicap win at Wolverhampton.
Adam Nicol’s Wise Eagle chased home Roaring Legend at Newcastle’s AWC Trials Day last season and has had wind surgery since finishing down the field at York’s Ebor Festival.
Chemistry won the Listed Vinnie Roe Stakes for Aidan O’Brien last year, although he has yet to reproduce that form in two starts for Ivan Furtado.
The Alan King-trained Blazeon Five bids for a three-timer following wins at Ascot and Nottingham. Course scorers Sax Appeal and Alrazeen line up for Charlie Johnston and Gay Kelleway.
Elsewhere, last season’s Mile final victor Storm Star returns for Andrew Balding in the Always Gamble Responsibly At BetMGM Handicap (5.15pm) over seven furlongs at Newcastle on Saturday, December 13.
The opposition includes G3 scorer Houquetot, who makes his first start since joining David O’Meara from Christopher Head, and the Geoff Oldroyd-trained duo of Doctor Khan Junior and Pocklington.
