Tyrrhenian Sea claimed another notable prize at Lingfield Park as he downed Maljoom in the Listed BetMGM Tandridge Stakes.
Roger Varian’s seven-year-old captured the Listed BetUK Quebec Stakes at the track last winter and chased home Royal Champion in the same 10-furlong contest this season.
Tackling a mile for the first time since 2022, Tyrrhenian Sea was ridden prominently by Jack Mitchell before lengthening away to beat the 118-rated Maljoom by almost three lengths.
Alan Cooper, racing manager for the Niarchos family’s Flaxman Stables, said: “Tyrrhenian Sea really enjoyed himself and looked happy back over a mile. He was given a very good ride from Jack.
“Doing that today opens up more options. I chatted briefly with Roger and he said to regroup in a few days when we’ll map out a programme.
“Obviously, there’s Good Friday at Newcastle [Finals Day] and he holds an entry in the Lincoln, so let’s see what we think after a few days to reflect.
“The Winter Derby over a mile and three [furlongs] at Southwell just stretches him, it’s right on his limit. I suspect he won’t be going there, but all options are open.
“I suspect it will be more a mile than stepping back up to a mile and three.”
Andrew Balding has his string in excellent form, with the Kingsclere trainer sending out seven winners from his last 20 runners to move up to fourth in the trainers’ standings behind leader Tony Carroll.
Among them was impressive Newcastle scorer Plage de Havre, who has been given a 9lb rise to 92 following his four-and-a-half-length victory in an extended 12-furlong handicap.
Stable-mate Humam has Three-Year-Old category aspirations after scoring on his handicap debut at Southwell, in which he defeated the highly regarded Rebel’s Gamble by almost two lengths.
Adrian Murray and Amo Racing had a successful evening at Dundalk, with former G2 Norfolk Stakes winner Valiant Force landing a six-furlong conditions race by almost five lengths.
The trainer-owner combination was also on the scoresheet with Persian Bliss, who proved his stamina for staying trips with victory in a two-mile handicap. Both horses could now be aimed at Finals Day.
Lingfield Park’s All-Weather Vase fixture on Good Friday is reportedly the target for Stephen Thorne’s Perfect Judgement after he completed a hat-trick in a mile handicap on the same Dundalk card.
Elsewhere, Symbol Of Light is up to a career-high mark of 102 for Julie Camacho following his near four-length victory in a mile handicap at Southwell.
Former Listed-winning juvenile Prince Of Pillo returned from a 292-day absence to win a six-furlong handicap at Lingfield Park, with Richard Fahey’s runner going up 6lb to 92.
Gay Kelleway’s Marathon hopeful Alrazeen registered his third straight success in a two-mile handicap at Kempton Park. The handicapper has responded with a 3lb rise to 89.
