It could be a very good Friday for David Simcock as Bless Him looks to follow up his recent course success in Newcastle’s All-Weather Mile Championships Conditions Stakes.
Given a trademark ice-cool ride from Jamie Spencer, the eight-year-old cruised into contention in that seven-furlong assignment before making his race-winning move in the shadow of the post.
He was tackling seven furlongs for just the second time since his three-year-old days on that occasion and needed almost every yard to conquer the game runner-up, suggesting the return to a mile here will suit him well.
The 37-race veteran is a five-times winner at the distance and with two firsts and a second at the track, Simcock's battle-hardened charge looks set for another bold bid.
Roger Varian could have plenty to cheer at Gosforth Park when Tyrrhenian Sea looks to make waves in the Betway Easter Classic All-Weather Middle Distance Championships Conditions Stakes.
Although losing his unbeaten record on his first attempt at 10 furlongs at Kempton, the Dark Angel gelding won his previous three with relative ease when venturing to the north east and given he had very little luck in running last time, he is well worth trying again over a mile and a quarter.
Andrew Balding claimed the Betway All-Weather Marathon Championships Conditions Stakes with Ranch Hand 12 months ago and has leading claims once again with Nate The Great, who got his second all-weather victory on the board over course and distance last month.
The six-year-old has been an ever-present at the business end of races since embarking on a winter campaign on the synthetics and having got his just rewards for some consistent performances here last month, he has a great chance of picking up the £77,000 first prize.
Elsewhere at Newcastle, Karl Burke looks to have a strong hand in the Coral Three-Year-Old All-Weather Championships Conditions Stakes.
His track-and-trip victor El Caballo has not lost since finishing second to Molecomb Stakes winner Armor on debut and could make it five in a row, while the Spigot Lodge handler is also represented by three-time winner Kaboo, who hung his chance away at Lingfield when last sighted.
Irish raider Harry's Bar appears the one to side with in the Betway All-Weather Sprint Championships Conditions Stakes following his recent success in a Dundalk handicap, while in the opening Coral Burradon Stakes, Dark Moon Rising attempts to build on his winning reappearance.
The all-weather action continues at Lingfield where course-and-distance winner Crimson Sand looks to go one better than his second last time for Richard Hughes in the Betway Vase Sprint Handicap. William Buick takes over aboard the consistent performer, who must have a fine chance of capitalising on a mark of 86 in first-time cheekpieces.
Track-and-trip winner Epsom Faithfull could make it four-in-a-row and add to her Kempton hat-trick in the Coral Vase Fillies' And Mares' Handicap. Pat Phelan's five-year-old has shown plenty of guts to get on the scoresheet the last twice and although trying to defy a career-high mark, knows what it takes to get her head in front when it matters most.
Al Ameen attempts to make amends to supporters that sent him off the 7-4 favourite at Wolverhampton when he goes for glory in the Coral Vase Three-Year-Old Handicap. Ben Curtis does the steering as he tries to better that Dunstall Park second off the same mark.
Curtis and handler George Boughey also team up with Totally Charming, who drops back to a mile in the AWC Vase Mile Handicap having finished third to Dingle over 10 furlongs here in January. He is just 1lb higher this time and having won over this distance only three starts ago can turn the tables on his rival from Richard Hannon's stable.
James Ferguson's U S S Michigan could be the one to follow in Chelmsford's Betsi Handicap following his second to Tyrrhenian Sea on stable debut at Newcastle.
Although no match for the winner at Gosforth Park, the former Ballydoyle inmate caught the eye on his first start for 987 days and having won at Dundalk when trained in Ireland, could show his liking for a synthetic surface once again off a 3lb higher mark.
SELECTIONS:
CHELMSFORD: 2.10 Mountbatten, 2.45 Hello Zabeel, 3.10 Boasty, 3.55 U S S Michigan, 4.30 Blackcurrent, 5.00 Flintstone, 5.30 Man Of Riddles.
LINGFIELD: 1.15 Koeman, 1.45 Fair Star, 2.20 Crimson Sand, 2.55 Al Ameen, 3.30 Epsom Faithfull, 4.00 Totally Charming, 4.30 Pretty Sweet.
NEWCASTLE: 1.30 Dark Moon Rising, 2.00 Bless Him, 2.35 Harry's Bar, 3.10 El Caballo, 3.45 Highfield Princess, 4.15 Nate The Great, 4.45 TYRRHENIAN SEA (NAP).
DOUBLE: Tyrrhenian Sea and El Caballo.
