A Proper Welsh Evening Out
There's something rather magical about evening racing at Ffos Las, isn't there? Reminds me of those summer evenings as a lad when Dad would take us to the local point-to-point, the light fading gently over the Welsh valleys as the last race went off. Tuesday's card might not have carried the glitz of Cheltenham, but it served up exactly the sort of honest, competitive National Hunt fare that makes this game so endlessly fascinating.
The going was riding on the easy side of good - that lovely soft, good to soft description that gets the jumping enthusiasts purring. Perfect conditions, really, for the sort of horses that make up the backbone of our winter game, and judging by today's racecard, there were plenty of stories to be told.
Feature Race Delivers the Goods
The evening's centrepiece, that South West Rail Solutions Handicap Chase over two and three, looked a proper puzzle on paper - and I suspect it proved just as tricky for the punters. Bowenspark carrying top weight under Sam Twiston-Davies immediately caught the eye, but it was the middle-distance brigade that had me scribbling notes.
Gaelic Rambler with Jonjo O'Neill Jr. in the saddle represents a yard that knows exactly how to place their horses, and that rating of 115 could prove very workable if connections have been patient. The O'Neill team have been quietly going about their business this season, and this fellow strikes me as the sort who could pop up in a decent handicap before the season's out.
But it was Lermoos Legend that really tickled my fancy. James Bowen knows this track like the back of his hand, and that 112 rating suggests there's been some careful planning. The 'C,D' codes tell their own story - this one's been busy, but sometimes that's exactly what you want in a handicapper who's finding his groove.
Novice Hurdle Nuggets
The opening novices' hurdle was absolutely stuffed with intrigue. Twelve runners, half of them unrated - it's like Christmas morning for those of us who love spotting the future stars. Uptown Dandy looked the form pick on ratings, but in races like this, it's often the newcomers who spring the biggest surprises.
I had my eye firmly on Crystal Island with Nico de Boinville doing the steering. When Henderson's stable jockey rocks up at Ffos Las on a Tuesday evening, you sit up and take notice. The fact this one's unrated suggests they've been keeping their powder dry, and that's often a very good sign indeed.
Dylans Moon with Jack Andrews also caught my attention - another unrated sort from a yard that knows how to school them properly. These are exactly the types that can come back and win a decent novice hurdle at one of the bigger tracks later in the season.
Handicap Hurdle Heroes
The longer handicap hurdle served up a right old cavalry charge with thirteen runners, and what a mix it was. Air Apparent looked to hold strong claims off that 105 mark, but it was further down the weights where the value might have lurked.
Moon Over Clyro is a name that's been whispering around the Welsh circuits, and Charlie Price taking the ride suggests connections fancy their chances. That 99 rating could prove very generous if this one's been working well at home.
The real eye-catcher for me, though, was Glenmuick with Lilly Pinchin claiming her valuable allowance. Off a mark of just 82, this one could be absolutely thrown in if the ability's there. Sometimes these lightly-raced types from smaller yards can spring the most delightful surprises, and I'll certainly be keeping tabs on where this one pops up next.
Ones to Follow
If you're looking for horses to keep on your radar after this evening's action, I'd be making notes on several. Gaelic Rambler from the feature chase looks the type who could step up markedly in grade - the O'Neill team have a knack for producing these improvers at exactly the right moment.
From the novice ranks, any of those unrated newcomers who showed promise will be worth following. Crystal Island in particular, given the Boinville connection, could easily turn up at somewhere like Newbury or Sandown for a conditions hurdle and take all the beating.
Trust House in the shorter handicap hurdle also merits a mention. Sean Bowen's been riding with real confidence lately, and that 109 rating suggests this one's been mixing it in decent company. Could easily pop up in a valuable handicap at one of the summer festivals.
Looking Ahead
What I love about evenings like this at Ffos Las is how they set up the stories for the months ahead. The horses who ran well tonight will be popping up at tracks across Britain over the coming weeks, often at much bigger odds than they deserve.
The Welsh National Hunt scene has been quietly producing some cracking horses in recent seasons, and I suspect we've seen a few more potential stars take important steps forward tonight. Keep your notebooks handy, and don't be surprised if some of these names are making headlines at the bigger meetings before too long.
It's been another thoroughly enjoyable evening in the valleys - the sort that reminds you why we fell in love with this game in the first place. Roll on the next one!
