Rookie trainer Jack Channon is hoping fancied runner Majestic can sneak into the Pertemps Network Lincoln.
To make Saturday's line-up, last season's Cambridgeshire winner needs five horses to come out of the first big handicap of the Flat season. Channon's father Mick, a trainer for more than three decades, won last year's Doncaster event with Johan.
The big success came just months before the former England striker and Classic-winning handler retired.
Channon junior, assistant at West Ilsley Stables for eight years, took over the licence and Majestic is among a team of 75 horses for the new campaign.
"I couldn't be happier with him," said Channon, 29, after celebrating a 53-1 double at Lingfield earlier today. "We are just hoping he gets into the race. It's a massive date in the calendar and we would love to get the season off to a flyer."
Plan B is for Majestic, 12-1 with William Hill, to contest the Spring Mile, which has the same sponsor. But the winner gets half of the £77,310 on offer for the first-placed horse in the feature on Town Moor.
Further ahead and Channon junior is relishing his first full season at the helm, aided by his father's expertise behind the scenes.
"The name above the door has changed, but dad is here every day," he said about the trainer of 2,500 winners.
"He kindly gave me the opportunity. We have a smaller number of horses for now so I can get my head around everything. Saturday is what we have been working towards and it's a big day for the whole team."
