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Bless Him is capable of giving weight and a beating to his rivals in the All Weather Championships Mile Handicap at Newcastle.
David Simcock's charge had a three-figure rating this time last year and finished a clear second to multiple Group One winner Palace Pier in a Group Two at Sandown in April.
The eight-year-old kicked off 2022 by finishing second over a mile here in January before running with credit on a couple of occasions in Dubai.
He was last seen finishing fifth in the Lincoln Trial at Wolverhampton, where he was too far back to be able to land a telling blow and was not disgraced in the circumstances.
Running off 96 on his return to Gosforth Park, he is handicapped to go well if things fall his way.
The fact True Mason has only won once in 34 starts hardly inspires confidence, but a recent better effort could bode well for his chances in the #BetYourWay At Betway Handicap.
Now on a mark of 67, the six-year-old was rated as high as 109 in his pomp, but a disappointing run of performances over the last three years is reflected in his current rating.
True Mason's three-quarter-length defeat at Newcastle 10 days ago was a definite improvement and hopes can be reasonably high with his confidence enhanced.
Brief Ambition can strike Ludlow gold for Fergal O’Brien in the Weatherbys nhstallions.co.uk Handicap Chase.
The eight-year-old has triumphed in three of his four starts this term, with all of those runs coming well before the proper winter ground really took root.
Clearly he prefers to hear his hooves rattle and although he must overcome a 126-day absence, he looked a really nice prospect before his winter break.
Real Steel is given one more chance in the £21,000 Boyne Cup.
The French-bred gelding was rated a lofty 166 after being beaten just over seven lengths by then stablemate Al Boum Photo in the 2020 Cheltenham Gold Cup.
He subsequently left Willie Mullins and joined Paul Nicholls and has been largely disappointing since.
The upside is his mark has dropped to just 137, allowing him to get into this 0-140 contest.
He clearly has breathing problems as he has had a wind operation and wears a tongue-tie, so perhaps this sound surface will see him in a better light than has been the case earlier this season.
The application of cheek pieces might also bring about a little improvement.
Hexham punters should put their faith in John McConnell's Irish raider Bronson In Blue in the View Racecourse Website Subscribe To Our Mailing List Novices' Hurdle.
The nine-year-old was a good winner of a Leopardstown handicap three weeks ago and while he has to give weight away all round in Northumberland, this looks an excellent opportunity for him to follow up.
There is every chance McConnell will also take out the concluding Racegoers Club British Horse Racing's Fan Club Open Maiden NH Flat Race with Bella Union.
The Mahler gelding shaped with considerable promise when beaten three lengths into fourth place in what was quite a decent race on his debut at Carlisle.
The winner Maximilian has since won again at the same track under a penalty and even a little improvement from Bella Union will make him hard to beat.
SELECTIONS:
HEXHAM: 1.00 For Three, 1.30 Well Above Par, 2.05 Bronson In Blue, 2.40 Augharue, 3.15 Blow By Blow, 3.50 Le Tueur, 4.20 Bella Union.
LUDLOW: 1.45 Finest View, 2.20 Brief Ambition, 2.55 Mengli Khan, 3.30 Real Steel, 4.05 Gran Luna, 4.40 Beep Beep, 5.15 Wagner.
NEWCASTLE: 5.30 Broken Rifle, 6.00 Polyphonic, 6.30 Phoenix Star, 7.00 Bless Him (NAP), 7.30 True Mason, 8.00 Show Maker.
DOUBLE: Brief Ambition and Bless Him.
