AW Trials Day - Lingfield 2nd Jan 2027 Handicap

Lightly-raced 4-y-o who made it 3 wins from his first 4 starts on handicap debut at Thirsk (7f) early in August. Hasn't been seen to best effect hitting the frame in stronger handicaps at Chester/Doncaster since. Back in calmer waters and still relatively unexposed. Stall 14 isn't ideal, though.

Solid form when off the mark for the year over C&D (1-1) in July. Did really well to pull the race out of the fire when following up in this grade at Sandown, however, found his run of good form coming to a halt on hat-trick bid at Haydock latest. Still on a handy mark if back to his best.

Back to form when successful in this grade at Newbury (6f) in April. Looks to have again lost his way, though, recording another tame effort when down the field in the Ayr Silver Cup latest. Hopes of a revival pinned on first-time blinkers.

Largely consistent since the turn of the year. Improved when capitalising on his lower turf mark at Newmarket in July. That's proved sound form and he's back on his latest winning all-weather mark following a forgivable effort on soft ground (unproven) at York last time.

Dual all-weather winner for Archie Watson. Looked in the grip of the handicapper last winter/spring. Finished 2½ lengths fifth of 8 to Nikovo on stable debut at Newcastle in March. Has won fresh but reasonable to think he'll need this first start in 7 months.

Smooth-travelling type. Back to his best when doubling his tally in a 3-y-o handicap at Ascot (7f) last month. Very nearly followed up in a better race at the same track last time, when suited by well-run 6f. Going the right way since a breathing operation and well worth another go on all-weather.

Hasn't stood much racing since completing an all-weather/turf 6-timer in 2024 for previous yard. Beaten 5 lengths in listed race here (6f) last autumn and off for further 11 months prior to finishing down the field at York. Hard to be confident of a revival on return to 7f (1-1).

Latest win came here in summer 2024. Not the force he was when going close in the Lincoln the following year. Best effort this season when beaten a length in this grade at Goodwood (1m) in August. Only 1 lb higher here but will need plenty to fall right (has his quirks) in another headgear change.

Made a successful debut in 6f novice at Windsor last summer. Useful form in defeat when close second at Windsor/Salisbury thereafter. Shaped as if in need of the run following 12 months away (had breathing operation in the interim) at Pontefract latest. Hardly a positive tongue tie now reached for.

Didn't go unsupported when making a belated winning debut at Newcastle (7f) in May. Ran to a fairly useful level both subsequent starts, chasing home a debutant at Kempton in July. Something to find at the weights now switched to handicap company.

Has a good all-weather record (4-9), including a win/close second at this track. Never got involved (raced wide) at Kempton last time. Looks well worth another chance following a handy 3 lb reprieve.

Fourth in this corresponding event last year. Below form both starts since rattling off a quick-fire double at Epsom (7f) this summer, for all the run of the race was against him at Leicester last time. No easy task to bounce back from stall 13 here.

Course specialist. Made it 3 wins from 4 starts over C&D in February. Wasn't firing on all cylinders when turning in rare poor effort here in April (given another breathing operation since). Capable fresh, though this looks the best race he's contested.

C&D winner for Jane Chapple-Hyam last autumn. Developed into a useful handicapper on turf for present yard this season (latest run best overlooked) and isn't fully exposed on this surface, either (form figures of 112 in all-weather handicaps).