Spectators return to racecourses in Wales next month with fixtures at Ffos Las on Tuesday 1st February and Chepstow on Friday 4th February. Covid passes (or negative lateral flow tests) will be required by customers but social distancing and tables of six rules will no longer apply.
The race day restaurant is not open for this meeting at Ffos Las but it is open at Chepstow. The restaurant will be open for the following fixture at Ffos Las on Thursday 10th February.
We have been running fixtures behind closed doors in Wales since the Coral Welsh Grand National at Chepstow on December 27th and the financial impact has been significant but last week the Welsh Government confirmed a compensation package for the loss of revenue. This will make a big difference to our business and we are grateful for the Government’s support.
There are a total of 54 race meetings between Chepstow and Ffos Las this year with something to suit all tastes including Music Live Nights with Paloma Faith and the Kaisers Chiefs and the new three- day Jump Season Opener split across both courses in October. See the websites for details of all fixtures.
The next feature meeting at Ffos Las is Easter Sunday’s Family Day on April 17th – don’t forget children aged 17 and under are admitted free of charge and there will be plenty of family entertainment. Tickers are on sale for £17 as an early bird offer.
James Bowen is having a very successful season and he rode another two winners at Warwick on Sunday both for trainer Nicky Henderson.
The first was Fantastic Lady, a top weight whose last two mediocre runs meant she was set off at 10/1. She scored in convincing style.
Half an hour later, in a good novice hurdle for mares, he rode a confident race holding up Theatre Glory. Producing her at the final obstacle, she shot away on the run in to win by almost ten lengths, to take her career record to 3-4. James has now ridden 52 winners this season.
Ben Jones waved his whip in the air to celebrate victory aboard the Ben Clarke trained The Galloping Bear in the Surrey National at Lingfield’s Winter Millions meeting on Sunday. That was Ben’s 26th victory of the season.
David Probert seems to ride winners more days than not, and added another to his flying start to the year at Lingfield on Saturday. Having his third start, the Andrew Balding-trained War In Heaven didn’t cope with the turn into the straight very well but ran on from there to win cosily.
David Evans teamed up with his old ally, Derby-winning jockey Adam Kirby, to win on Old Port at Wolverhampton on Saturday evening. It was the four-year-old's second victory this month, and was accomplished so easily that a hat-trick must be on the cards. The horse has only had five outings, so there is every reason to hope for further improvement.
