Hi all,
Thursday’s best race is at Ffos Las with latest running of the West Wales National (4:37). The going is being described as good to soft. I have three of interest at the Welsh track.
Ffos Las
4:37 – Potters Canter Carpet West Wales National Handicap Chase (Class 3) – 3m 4f
Volcano has been in good form this winter and put in a career best effort when winning at Warwick 18-days ago. The 7-year-old proved his stamina when winning over 3m 5f last time and remains unexposed over this sort of distance. Up another 7lb here but could be capable of defying his rise in the ratings.
Sizing At Midnight won here over 3m in the autumn and looked sure to play a part in the finish when falling three out in Badger Beers Silver Trophy at Wincanton. Two subsequent runs at Wincanton on heavy and at the Cheltenham Festival can be excused. No issues with the going and if he stays 3m 4f won’t be far away.
Eclair Mag won on his first start in Britain when winning at Market Rasen (heavy) in January. The 7-year-old bettered than performance when runner-up at Carlisle 38-days ago. Quicker ground here and his first start beyond 3m 2f today but the 7-year-old looks progressive.
Skipthecuddles is down to a competitive mark. However. he’s inconsistent and hasn’t built on the promise of his 3rd of 10 at Newbury three starts back.
Verdict: Éclair Mag has the look of an improver and if he handles today’s quicker ground has each-way claims. Sizing At Midnight will like the ground but has stamina to prove. The inform Volcano has the most solid claims of the 14 runners and is the one to beat.
2pt win – Volcano – 4/1 – Gen
1pt win – Eclair Mag – 17/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
5:42 – I like the claims of the Kerry Lee trained Do It For Thy Sen in this handicap chase. The 7-year-old has to yet to taste success after ten starts under rules. But was beaten only a neck here over 2m 5f in November and last time out ran better than his final position of fourth suggests at Leicester last month. Quicker ground is bit of an unknown (did win a point on good to soft) but he looks set to go close if he handles it.
1pt win – Do It For Thy Sen – 5/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
Cheers
John