Ffos Las is not for the faint-hearted. The chase course at Britain’s newest racecourse is a real jumping test and stamina is generally required to complete when the going is soft or heavy, which it is for this Friday’s meeting.
Horse Racing Betting at Bet365
Phil Bessant Limited Chartered Management Accounts Handicap Chase
Pres 9/4
Heavenly Promise 13/2
Still Believing 7/1
Lac Sacre 15/2
Hedgeinator, Definately Vinnie and Steel Native 10/1
Cavok and Misty Mai 14/1
Blazing Tom 20/1
Nickname Exit and Cruising Bye 25/1
(Odds correct at 20.40 March 5)
Table of Contents
Pres out to impress
PRES will be 5lb higher in the weights from next week so Chris Gordon is hoping his charge can take advantage of a lenient mark at Ffos Las today.
Last week’s second at Newbury was a further step forward for the six-year-old, the junior runner in this Class 4 handicap chase.
He’s now finished second three times since winning at Lingfield in November. The mud holds no fears for the son of Sans Frontieres and his jumping has improved with experience. If he puts in a clear round and is fully recovered from last week’s exertions, best odds of 9/4 should be rewarded.
Heavenly promising a return to winning ways
Fergal O’Brien’s stable has been back among the winners recently and Heavenly Promise has already won three times this season.
But there is a suspicion that the previous course and distance winner will need some help from the handicapper to pick up the winning thread again over fences.
His latest second came over hurdles when 9lb lower and he was well beaten when last seen over the larger obstacles – he’s a best 13/2.
Local trainer Still believes in veteran mare
The 12-year-old Still Believing owes connections little having won five times over hurdles and same number of races over fences.
She has had quite a light campaign this winter but has still managed seconds at Chepstow and Hereford.
She is attractively handicapped nowadays but her ability has probably declined in accordance over the last 12 months and she can be hard work. Best odds of 7/1 with Paddy Power to win don’t really appeal.
Sacre doesn’t lack ability
A winner at Ffos Las on two previous occasions, Lac Sacre needs to put a poor run at Chepstow behind him and may be in the handicapper’s grip now.
Ben Jones’ claim is in his favour, however, as is the going and he’ll probably run his race without being quite good enough at 17/2 with Paddy Power.
Native starting to show some Steel again
Steel Native ran his best race in almost 12 months when second at Bangor.
Dai Rees’ stayer is a three-times winner on the track and 2lb lower than when last in the winner’s enclosure so it would be no surprise to see him attract market interest at a general 10/1.
He still needs to prove he’s over his jumping problems but is an interesting contender if that is the case.
Best Of The Rest
It would be some training feat if Robert Stephens could produce Hedgeinator ready to win a race like this after 516 days on the sidelines. All of his victories have come on sharper tracks than this but he can be backed at 10/1.
Cavok has only won twice over fences and six times under Rules. He won at Uttoxeter in December before pulling up at Chepstow but the handicapper has taken to chances with Ben Pauling’s runner, who is tried in cheekpieces and is a best 14/1.
Take advantage of Coral’s brand new exclusive racing offer at Ffos Las this Friday!
If your horse doesn’t make it to the finish line, you get your stake back as a Free Bet…
Place a £1+ win or each-way bet on any of the races at today’s nominated meeting
If your horse Fails To Finish the race, get your stake back as a Free Bet up to £10
It doesn’t matter whether the jockey’s unseated, the horse pulls up, or even refuses to race – we’ll help you get back in the saddle with a Free Bet up to £10 within 24 hours.
