Welsh Wednesday Delivers the Goods
What a cracking afternoon we had at Ffos Las! The Carmarthenshire track served up a proper feast of National Hunt action on Wednesday, with good to soft ground providing the perfect platform for some quality performances.
Six races packed with intrigue, drama and - crucially for punters - some serious horses to follow for the weeks ahead. The £10,000 Mercedes-Benz of Chichester Maiden Hurdle was always going to be the headline act, but every contest on this card had something to offer.
With the going riding on the easy side of good, conditions were absolutely spot-on for the staying types to show their true colours. And boy, did they deliver!
Feature Race Sets the Standard
The 2m 3f maiden hurdle was the jewel in the crown, and what a field they assembled! Cluain Chormaic arrived with a hefty 115 rating and Tom Cannon in the saddle - that's serious business for a maiden contest.
But the eye was drawn to some fascinating newcomers. Jetaway Holiday with Nico de Boinville aboard screamed class, while Knight Templar looked the type to relish this longer trip under Harry Bannister.
The real intrigue came from the unrated brigade. Style de Folie, Testing Patience, and Cockney Cleopatra all arrived with question marks but serious connections. These are the types that can spring surprises and set up lucrative follow-up opportunities.
Hardly Surprising lived up to his 117 rating expectations, but it was the progressive types that really caught the attention for future reference.
Handicap Highlights and Future Stars
The Last Resort Club Handicap Hurdle threw up some fascinating angles. Galactic Charm and Duffry Trixs both arrived off identical 109 marks, setting up a proper battle at the weights.
But keep your notebooks handy for Tigga Time. Tom Cannon's mount looked well-treated off 102, and this extended trip could be exactly what unlocks improvement. The Secret Pearl also shaped like one to follow - these lightly-raced types often have more to offer than their marks suggest.
Over the larger obstacles, Maclaine headed the Southern Cranes Handicap Chase off 117. But Hawaii du Mestivel down at 103 looked potentially well-handicapped if handling the step up in trip.
Jockey Watch and Trainer Angles
Tom Cannon was busy throughout the afternoon with four rides across the card. That's the sort of booking spree that suggests some serious inside knowledge - particularly his mounts Cluain Chormaic, Tigga Time, Confinentic and Kill The Groove.
Harry Bannister also caught the eye with three quality rides, including Knight Templar in the feature and Maclaine in the chase. When the same jockey gets multiple bookings from different yards, it's worth taking notice.
The presence of Nico de Boinville for just one ride - Jetaway Holiday - speaks volumes about the regard for that horse. Top jockeys don't travel to Welsh tracks for no-hopers.
Ones to Follow and Future Targets
Several horses emerged from this Ffos Las racecard as serious future propositions. Any maiden hurdle winner from that competitive opener will be worth following, particularly if it came from the unrated contingent.
Confinentic looked the type to appreciate the step up to three miles in the Land & Power Handicap Hurdle. These staying handicap hurdlers can often string together sequences once they find their groove.
In the closing handicap hurdle, Ikigai Star with Lilly Pinchin claiming looked attractively weighted. Frank Stamper also shaped like one for the notebook - James Bowen doesn't take bad rides.
The key with Wednesday's action is that we saw horses tackling new trips, returning from breaks, and stepping up in class. Those scenarios often throw up the best follow-up bets when the penny drops.
Looking Ahead
This was exactly the sort of midweek card that throws up future winners. The combination of competitive handicaps and a strong maiden hurdle creates the perfect breeding ground for progressive types.
Keep your eyes peeled for any of these horses reappearing at tracks like Chepstow, Worcester or back at Ffos Las in the coming weeks. Wednesday's performances will have given connections plenty of food for thought about future targets.
The Welsh track continues to punch above its weight, serving up quality National Hunt action that rewards the patient punter. Roll on the next visit to this gem of a course!
