JACK CHANNON is eyeing his big moment in the Flat season’s first big race of the calendar this weekend.
The trainer – son of legendary former trainer and ex-England striker Mick – is hoping well fancied Majestic will line up and win the Lincoln Handicap at Doncaster on Saturday.
Jack Channon (R) is aiming for the first big success since taking over from dad Mick (L)
A record 115 entries had been made at the declaration stage for the big handicap, mostly due to an increase of £50,000 in the prize fund.
Jack – who took over the yard’s license from dad Mick at the turn of the year – is still waiting to see if Majestic takes his place in the 22-runner field.
If he does make the final cut, he’s keen to emulate what his dad did last year with Johan in winning the one-mile contest.
Majestic was also Mick’s final big winner when landing the Cambridgeshire at Newmarket last September.
Now Jack hopes it could be the springboard he needs to start the campaign on a high, following on from an impressive double at Lingfield on Monday.
He said: “The Lincoln has become harder and harder to win. These days it tends to go to a horse coming through the ranks and usually a Group horse in a handicap.
“But we showed last year with Johan it can still be done. I’d love to win it again, obviously. Dad loves the race.
“Majestic might not fit the trendy profile but he’s still improving and is ready to roll.
“He’s five but doesn’t have many miles on the clock and only had his first race, which was actually in a bumper, last year as a four-year-old.
“His form since then has only got better and I reckon there is still plenty to come if we can keep him going.”
Jack is hoping his 53-1 double is a sign of things to come for the yard.
He won the opener at Lingfield on Monday with Hiromichi before an 11-1 winner in Flash Bardot.
He admits that there hasn’t been too much change at the yard despite him taking over the license and he’s excited for the future under his stewardship.
He added: “Not much has changed here, honestly. Dad is still around pretty much as before and his experience is important.
“We have lots of nice horses coming through so hopefully we’ll hit the ground running.
“I’m busy trying to get some new owners through the door and hopefully that can continue, too. It’s exciting times.”
