The 4.30 at Ffos Las on Monday is a Class 4 handicap hurdle over 2m4½f on soft ground and it looks a race where stamina and race positioning will matter more than speed.🏇⤵️👇

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Ffos Las is a demanding track when the ground is soft and races over this trip often develop into proper tests of endurance. The likely pace scenario also adds interest here, with El Gavilan and Jukebox Fury both capable of going forward, suggesting a solid early gallop. With two horses likely to press the lead, the race could set up well for those sitting just off the pace or finishing strongly late.

El Gavilan arrives in excellent form having won his last three starts and already has course form in the book. He has clearly improved since going handicapping and his current mark of 111 may still underestimate him. The concern is purely tactical: if he ends up in a battle for the lead on testing ground it could make things harder late on.

Up To Trix looks a very solid contender. He is still relatively lightly raced over hurdles and shaped like a horse with more to come when finishing strongly on his latest start. The step up to this trip on soft ground looks ideal and Sean Bowen taking the ride is another positive. His running style from midfield could prove well suited if the pace is honest.

The interesting runner is Jukebox Fury from the Nicky Henderson yard. He returns from a long absence and that always brings an element of uncertainty, but his profile suggests he could still be ahead of his mark. If fully fit he has the ability to go close, although the market may provide the best clue to expectations.

Double Click is another to note. He has a reputation for finishing strongly and the race shape suggests he could be one of the horses staying on best in the closing stages. If the leaders go too hard early he may be the one picking up the pieces late.

Of the others, Sioux Falls is consistent but may lack the finishing kick of the principals, while Close Combat, Gustapof and Jacks Jury look to need improvement or a perfectly run race to play a major role.

Overall, this looks a race likely to be run at a good tempo, and in those conditions it may pay to side with a horse who can travel comfortably behind the pace and finish strongly up the long Ffos Las straight.

Up To Trix fits that description particularly well and looks the runner most likely to benefit if the leaders do a little too much too soon, while Double Click could be the one staying on best of the rest if the race becomes a test of stamina.

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