Godolphin Classic possibles on trial at Lingfield
By Racing TV
Last Updated: Fri 8 May 2026
Charlie Appleby fields a pair of unbeaten Classic contenders at Lingfield on Saturday, with both Maho Bay and Romantic Symphony given the chance to state their Epsom credentials.
Adayar famously finished third in the William Hill Lingfield Derby Trial Stakes before going on to land the Derby for the Moulton Paddocks handler, who will be hoping to go two places better with Maho Bay this time having impressed in both starts to date.
Appleby told www.godolphin.com: “Maho Bay has done nothing wrong on both his starts and stepping back up in trip is going to suit.
“We are hoping he can gain some valuable experience round an undulating track, which could potentially steer us down a Derby route.”
It was no surprise to see the race was won by Aidan O’Brien 12 months ago and the master of Ballydoyle this time saddles Isaac Newton, last seen finishing fourth in the Feilden Stakes on his return, but bringing smart form at two to the table.
However, the biggest danger to the likely favourite is William Haggas’ Maltese Cross, who added to his Newmarket maiden success last autumn when winning a deep novice event at Newbury last month.
The second from that event has since filled the same position in the Listed Newmarket Stakes and Haggas said: “He was good at Newbury, but the form has been let down. The second horse came out and was second again in a Listed race, but he didn’t win.
“We’ll hope for the best. I think the horse will enjoy the trip and he’s doing well physically, so I hope it’s the right slot for him.”
There is a field of six colts going on trial in total with the aforementioned trio joined by Ralph Beckett’s dual winner Bay Of Brilliance, Jane Chapple-Hyam’s Balzac and Andrew Balding’s A Taste Of Glory.
Meanwhile Appleby again holds leading claims in the William Hill Oaks Trial Fillies’ Stakes with Romantic Symphony, who won on the Rowley Mile last September and enhanced her claims on the all-weather at Kempton in decisive fashion in early April.
Currently not in the Oaks but able to be supplemented, Appleby said: “Romantic Symphony has won her two starts nicely, although she will need to improve again to be competitive at this level.
“She is in good nick and this should give us an idea of where we are going for the rest of the season.”
O’Brien is double-handed in opposition with Cameo – the choice of Ryan Moore – and Cameo, while Andrew Balding’s Prizeland and Charlie Johnston’s Amora Queen complete a field of five.
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