This analysis focuses exclusively on the Ffos Las race meeting, working through the races in chronological order, based on the requirements and the available sources.
1.28 DragonBet Supporting British Racing Maiden Hurdle (Div I)
| Rank | Horse (Trainer/Jockey) | TimeWise Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jack Black (FR) (D Skelton/H Skelton) | Top Two Rated |
| 2 | Swindon Village (IRE) (C Longsdon/D Bass) | Top Two Rated |
Recent Form and Comments
Jack Black (FR)
This 6yo filled third position in both bumpers during the 2023–24 season. He subsequently achieved the same position in a good-quality Newbury novice hurdle (2m, heavy) on his hurdling debut. He was reportedly not himself when reappearing last November and returns from another layoff. He has strong claims if he is back on song.
Swindon Village (IRE)
A 5yo who won a soft-ground course bumper on his rules debut last November. He also ran well when third at Aintree (soft) on Boxing Day. Although he was subsequently well held in a Listed bumper, he remains a good prospect for novice hurdles.
Spotlight Verdict
It might pay to give another chance to JACK BLACK, who clearly wasn’t himself on his only appearance last season but was a creditable third on his hurdling debut at Newbury in February 2024. Irish point winner Kalkbrenner made a promising bumper debut in the spring and is feared most. Swindon Village and Lon Chaney also need a close look.
Race Statistics
- Age Groups: Not provided in the source material for this race.
- Fate of Favourites: Not provided in the source material for this race.
- Trainer Records: Not provided in the source material for this race.
Assessment of the Top Two
| Horse | Strengths | Weaknesses | Suitability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jack Black | Has strong claims if he returns to form. Showed quality on hurdling debut (third in a good-quality Newbury novice on heavy ground). | Returns from a layoff; ran poorly on his only subsequent appearance. | Ought to be better suited by the stiffer stamina test (2m4f). |
| Swindon Village | Proven course winner on soft ground (bumper). Still looks a good prospect for novice hurdles. | Was subsequently well held in a Listed bumper. | Seems well-suited to soft/heavy conditions and novice hurdles. |
1.58 DragonBet Supporting British Racing Maiden Hurdle (Div II)
| Rank | Horse (Trainer/Jockey) | TimeWise Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Big Cadillac (IRE) (D Skelton/H Skelton) | Top Two Rated |
| 2 | Tiddesley Wood (F O’Brien/J Burke) | Top Two Rated |
Recent Form and Comments
Big Cadillac (IRE)
The 5yo was bought for £95,000 after winning on his Irish point debut (3m, heavy) in February 2024. He made steady headway before keeping on well to win a Chepstow bumper from an odds-on rival. He has had wind surgery since his last run and is an interesting contender on hurdling debut, despite returning after another lengthy absence.
Tiddesley Wood
This 5yo showed promise in two bumpers last season. He made a solid start over hurdles when finishing third at Aintree (2m4f, good to soft) on Sunday. He looked pretty useful in that race but faces a quick turnaround here.
Spotlight Verdict
This could be a warm contest. Big Cadillac is unbeaten in a point and bumper and looks an interesting recruit to hurdling for Dan Skelton. However, the vote goes to another point winner in STARZAND, who won a bumper in smooth style here in March and could have a bright future at this new discipline.
Race Statistics
- Age Groups: Not provided in the source material for this race.
- Fate of Favourites: Not provided in the source material for this race.
- Trainer Records: Not provided in the source material for this race.
Assessment of the Top Two
| Horse | Strengths | Weaknesses | Suitability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Big Cadillac | Unbeaten in his point and bumper start. Expensive purchase (£95,000). Recent wind surgery. | Returns after a lengthy absence. | Interesting contender upped in trip for hurdling debut. |
| Tiddesley Wood | Showed promise in bumpers and made a solid start over hurdles. Looked useful in his recent third at Aintree. | Faces a quick turnaround after running on Sunday. | Seems capable over hurdles at this trip (2m4f). |
2.28 Country Land And Business Association Handicap Hurdle
| Rank | Horse (Trainer/Jockey) | TimeWise Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Baikal (G Harris/J Anderson (3)) | Top Two Rated |
| 2 | Clondaw Fame (IRE) (Mrs A Thorpe/J Bowen) | Top Two Rated |
Recent Form and Comments
Baikal
A 6yo who has secured three hurdle wins this season. He most recently won over C&D (good ground) 12 days ago, given a nicely judged ride from off the pace. He is running off a 4lb rise, which is not considered excessive.
Clondaw Fame (IRE)
The 8yo made the short-odds favourite work very hard when finishing second in a C&D maiden (good ground) earlier this month, suggesting he is back in form for his new yard. He had previously pulled up on his handicap debut in March.
Spotlight Verdict
Baikal has been in good form in recent months and was a C&D winner just 12 days ago but confidence in him would be much higher on better ground. Preference is for SURREY LORD (nap), who shaped pretty well on his recent seasonal/handicap debut and probably still has a bit more to offer. Clondaw Fame ran well in defeat over C&D on his recent stable debut and is second choice.
Race Statistics
- Age Groups: Not provided in the source material for this race.
- Fate of Favourites: Not provided in the source material for this race.
- Trainer Records: Not provided in the source material for this race.
Assessment of the Top Two
| Horse | Strengths | Weaknesses | Suitability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baikal | In good form with three recent wins; C&D winner 12 days ago. The 4lb rise is acceptable. | Confidence would be much higher on better ground. The ground may have turned against him. | C&D winner, effective over 2m. |
| Clondaw Fame | Showed excellent form recently (second in C&D maiden). Is a key player if he replicates that form on today’s slower ground. | Pulled up on his previous handicap debut. | Slower ground should be suitable for him. |
2.58 Rees Richards & Partners, Land Agents Handicap Chase
| Rank | Horse (Trainer/Jockey) | TimeWise Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Holokea (IRE) (M Bowen/J Bowen) | Top Two Rated |
| 2 | Rosscahill (IRE) (N & W Twiston-Davies/S Twiston-Davies) | Top Two Rated |
Recent Form and Comments
Holokea (IRE)
A 6yo who finished runner-up on his final two hurdle starts last season. He made a good start to his chase career when finishing a clear second at Worcester (2m7f, good) in May. He returns from a break for this stronger race.
Rosscahill (IRE)
This 6yo won easily in a slow-ground Irish point on debut in December 2023. He launched his rules career with two hurdle wins here (2m6f/2m4f) towards the end of last year. He subsequently ran a respectable fourth on his handicap hurdle debut here (3m, soft) in January and has been absent since.
Spotlight Verdict
Pimlico Point got his career back on track with a good effort in June and is still on a workable mark but the one who could have considerable potential is chasing debutant ROSSCAHILL, who impressed on his Irish point debut in 2023 and was 2-3 over hurdles here last season. Support Act was a very disappointing favourite on his second chasing start but may yet build upon his promising debut over fences.
Race Statistics
- Age Groups: Not provided in the source material for this race.
- Fate of Favourites: Not provided in the source material for this race.
- Trainer Records: Not provided in the source material for this race.
Assessment of the Top Two
| Horse | Strengths | Weaknesses | Suitability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Holokea | Made a good start to his chase career (clear second at Worcester). | Back from a break; may not be ideally suited by the slower ground. | Proven over fences and distances close to this trip (2m7f). |
| Rosscahill | Chasing debutant with considerable potential. Proven winner on slow ground in a point and 2-3 over hurdles at this track. | Absent since January. | Looks a good prospect for chasing; proven stamina over 3m (hurdle). |
3.28 Best Odds Guaranteed On DragonBet Handicap Chase
| Rank | Horse (Trainer/Jockey) | TimeWise Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Donnacha (IRE) (N Hawke/J Davies) | Top Two Rated |
| 2 | Tune In A Box (IRE) (T Lacey/S Sheppard) | Top Two Rated |
Recent Form and Comments
Donnacha (IRE)
The 7yo struck form over fences at the start of this year, securing wins over 2m3f on soft ground at Exeter and Chepstow.
Tune In A Box (IRE)
A 6yo who has four hurdle wins to his name, including a valuable series final at the 2024 Punchestown festival. He signed off in May with a good second at Uttoxeter (2m4f, good). He makes his chasing debut here, with cheekpieces left off.
Spotlight Verdict
All of these have been absent for at least five months so it is essential to consult the market for clues regarding their relative fitness levels. Donnacha and Filanderer were in excellent form when last in action, while there is probably still further improvement to come from chasing debutant Dangerous Touch (second choice). However, the vote goes to TOMMYS CHARM, who went close at Wincanton in January and is probably still on a good mark after a 3lb rise.
Race Statistics
- Age Groups: Not provided in the source material for this race.
- Fate of Favourites: Not provided in the source material for this race.
- Trainer Records: Not provided in the source material for this race.
Assessment of the Top Two
| Horse | Strengths | Weaknesses | Suitability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Donnacha | Two recent wins over fences on soft ground. Further progress is possible this season. | Subsequent 261-day break may have checked his momentum. | Proven over fences on soft ground at this distance (2m3f). |
| Tune In A Box | Multiple hurdle winner including a festival final. Good recent form over hurdles; fine on slower ground. | Makes chasing debut. | Slower ground will suit; distance (2m3.5f) is similar to hurdle form. |
3.58 DragonBet The Independent Online Bookmaker Handicap Hurdle
| Rank | Horse (Trainer/Jockey) | TimeWise Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kalista Love (FR) (T Symonds/B Poste) | Top Two Rated |
| 2 | Kingston Gent (IRE) (P Hobbs & J White/S Houlihan) | Top Two Rated |
Recent Form and Comments
Kalista Love (FR)
The 5yo showed improvement when winning a mares’ handicap hurdle over C&D (good to soft) in April. She is running off a 5lb higher mark and needs to find the consistency that has previously eluded her.
Kingston Gent (IRE)
This 5yo has been placed in two of six starts, with his best effort coming at Fontwell in April (2m5f, good) on his penultimate start. He could come on for his recent Chepstow return.
Spotlight Verdict
C&D winners Fresh Speculation and Kalista Love (second choice) can have cases made for them. Hellfire Princess and Boston Joe are others who could be involved. However, THE GREY MAN looks worth persevering with over this trip and, freshened up, he looks capable of producing better.
Race Statistics
- Age Groups: Not provided in the source material for this race.
- Fate of Favourites: Not provided in the source material for this race.
- Trainer Records: Not provided in the source material for this race.
Assessment of the Top Two
| Horse | Strengths | Weaknesses | Suitability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kalista Love | C&D winner; improving form profile. Enters calculations despite rise. | Up 5lb; needs to find consistency. | Proven C&D form on good to soft ground. |
| Kingston Gent | Likely to improve following recent return. Best effort was over 2m5f. | Must prove conclusively that he acts on soft ground. | Suitable distance (2m4f). |
4.30 DragonBet BOG And Extra Places National Hunt Flat Race
| Rank | Horse (Trainer/Jockey) | TimeWise Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hopeless Dancer (N & W Twiston-Davies/J Turner (5)) | Top Two Rated |
| 2 | Valenciaga (IRE) (S Lewis/C Pritchard (5)) | Top Two Rated |
Recent Form and Comments
Hopeless Dancer
A 4yo who has shown similar form in making the frame at Worcester (good to soft) and Warwick (good).
Valenciaga (IRE)
The 4yo finished fourth at Perth and second at Sedgefield (both on good ground), performing to a similar level in both races.
Spotlight Verdict
This may go to A KING OF MAGIC who was very green at Kempton and therefore did well to finish close up behind respected opposition. Hopeless Dancer rates a solid alternative, though Old Habits and newcomers Turbo Boy and Big John Ollie are also of interest.
Race Statistics
- Age Groups: Not provided in the source material for this race.
- Fate of Favourites: Not provided in the source material for this race.
- Trainer Records: Not provided in the source material for this race.
Assessment of the Top Two
| Horse | Strengths | Weaknesses | Suitability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hopeless Dancer | Consistent bumper form, making the frame in both starts. | Might be found wanting if running at the same level (needs to step up). | Handles good/good to soft ground. |
| Valenciaga | Placed form (second at Sedgefield). | Likely to need more here. Recent runs were exclusively on good ground. | Suitable for NH Flat race conditions. |
TimeWise Chronicles 
Leave a comment