4.10 Ascot: the one race you don't want to miss on Friday

4.10 Ascot
Lexicon Bracknell Handicap | 1m | 3yo+ | SKY

Why is it interesting?

Winning course-and-distance form at the Berkshire track can prove important in tight handicaps such as this one and both Zhui Feng and Bless Him fit that bill from the royal meeting two years ago.

The Amanda Perrett-trained Zhui Feng secured the 2017 Royal Hunt Cup, while David Simcock’s Bless Him battled to success in the Britannia Handicap.

Perrett’s team have been in decent heart after a mid-summer lull and Zhui Feng’s placed efforts in his last two runs stand up well here, with his last win coming in Listed company last year.

Bless Him comes into the race off the back of a Yarmouth victory for which he was raised 6lb but gets into this with a 5lb penalty, which means he is officially 1lb well in.

The John Gosden-trained Lord North, a winner of his first two starts before meeting plenty of trouble in running when down the field at Listed level last time, was the one for money on Thursday night, being backed from 4-1 into 2-1.

What the stats say

Jamie Spencer gets on very well with Bless Him as he boasts a 50 per cent strike-rate aboard the five-year-old, having partnered him on four occasions and registered two victories

There have been only four runnings of this contest and favourites have not fared well. The closest the market leaders have finished is runner-up three times.

Three-year-olds have a decent record in the race with two victories and three places from just eight runners, whereas the older horses are two from 28.

What the trainers say

William Haggas, trainer of Seniority
His best form is on a turning track but he's in great form. He's on a career-high mark but I'm hopeful of a good run.

Charlie Fellowes, trainer of Chiefofchiefs
He's had a little holiday since his last run at Newbury in the spring but tends to run his best races fresh. I'm hoping the straight mile at Ascot will suit him and conditions are perfect.

Mark Perrett, husband of Amanda Perrett, trainer of Zhui Feng
He likes Ascot as he has shown in the past. He ran well to be third at Goodwood the other day and is in great shape at present.

David Simcock, trainer of Bless Him
He seems in excellent order after we found a nice race for him at Yarmouth last month. He obviously likes Ascot, but I'd be very concerned if they got a lot of rain as he's a proper top-of-the-ground horse.

What do our tipsters say?

Spotlight: Mel Cullinan
An open race despite the single-figure field. The vote goes to Dubai Legacy, a lightly raced three-year-old who has won three times in seven starts and ran well enough after fluffing the start last time to suggest he can win this if breaking on terms this time. Seniority is next best ahead of Zhui Feng and possible improver Lord North.

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