GRACIOUS JOHN can make it two wins on the bounce in the Betway Sprint Handicap at Newcastle.

The three-year-old has taken another jump up the handicap after bouncing back to winning form with victory in a decent heat at Lingfield last time.

Gracious John showed just how much ability he has when taking up the running inside the final furlong, eventually winning by a length with the minimum of fuss.

He had previously thrown away any chance of victory in a Listed heat also at Lingfield, taking an early hold and hanging right before keeping on for fourth.

The fact he could place so highly despite those troubles perhaps illustrates his true talent and while he has gone up 3lb in the ratings, jockey Katherine Glenister takes off a handy 7lb.

Glenister rode this son of Baltic King to victory at Nottingham in November, so she certainly knows how to get a good tune out of a horse who starts as today's nap selection.

Disappointing would be a word that could be applied to STEVE ROGERS' performance as favourite for the Chester Cup back in May and he then struggled to make his mark in the Northumberland Plate at this venue in June.

Another couple of turf runs were also pretty uninspiring, so it made sense for trainer Roger Varian to draw stumps early in a bid to freshen him up for another all-weather campaign.

That decision appeared to have paid off as he posted a fair second on his return at Kempton last month and should help Steve Rogers line up for the Betway Conditions Stakes in fighting form. Jack Mitchell takes the reins.

FUWAIRT was unlucky at this track last time but compensation awaits in the opening sunbets.co.uk Handicap under Connor Beasley. He could not quite reel in Steel Train but there was much to like about his neck defeat.

KILCREA VALE can get his fencing career off to a perfect start in the Alfa Aggregate Products Novices' Chase at Ludlow.

Nicky Henderson's charge was a point-to-point winner back in 2014 before being sold for £100,000 and joining the team at Seven Barrows.

He made an immediate impact when winning on his hurdles bow in January 2015, strolling home by 15 lengths, but was then off the track until the following November, when he fell on his return at Ascot.

Kilcrea Vale failed to really kick on from that disappointment in two subsequent outings but he has always appeared to be a future chasing type, an idea further underlined by his victory in the pointing field.

Henderson has exercised plenty of patience with this six-year-old and his work should pay dividends here with Jeremiah McGrath on board.

BALTIMORE ROCK returns to action for the first time since Punchestown in April and it would be dangerous to discount him in the Tanners Wines Handicap Chase.

The seven-year-old made a successful start to his novice campaign with victory at Doncaster last December, just holding off subsequent Red Rum Chase winner Katachenko by half a length in what was a very pleasing performance.

A subsequent surprise reverse at Chepstow did not put connections off a crack at the Arkle at Cheltenham in March, yet Baltimore Rock was already beaten when he fell two from home.

Tried again in Grade One company at Punchestown, he at least claimed a share of the money in fourth, but his run suggested that while top-level assignments are beyond him, he is certainly more than capable of winning at his own level.

That level could be this kind of handicap test and it will be interesting to see how he fares off top weight with Noel Fehily as pilot.

DEPUTY COMMANDER can add to his recent Doncaster verdict in the JJ Morris Estate Agents Auctioneers & Valuers Chase at Ffos Las.

Returning from over 230 days off the track, Deputy Commander took a while to get going on Town Moor but kept finding a little extra all the way to the line to steal a half-length verdict over Duke Arcadio.

Having been pulled up in two previous point-to-point starts, connections must have been pleased to see Deputy Commander handle his fences with aplomb and he should make his presence felt again here.

NOBLE ROBIN can strike at the first time of asking under Rules in the opening Finning Novices' Hurdle. A point-to-point winner back in January, he clearly has ability and is the one to watch here for Jonjo O'Neill.