Our next fixture at Ffos Las is on Tuesday 25th April when there are seven races from 1.40pm. the gates open at 11.40am. Tickets are £16 in advance and £20.50p on the day. We then have race meetings on Tuesday 9th May and Monday 22nd May.
Our Rum N Reggae Race Night is on Bank Holiday Saturday 27th May when we have the fantastic Bob Marley tribute band, Trenchtown Experience, performing live after racing. Tickets are just £21 in advance and there is also a restaurant package available for £126 per person including admission, a three course meal and a race night programme.
In the Grand National Sean Bowen had a slightly disappointing time of it on Noble Yeats, who was in the rear for most of the race. The 19 pound rise from last year’s victory proved too much to overcome. Bowen praised the horse for trying hard; he stayed on gamely to finish fourth without ever looking like getting anywhere near the front.
Our Power, for Sam Thomas and Dai Walters, jumped well and was in the leading group on the first circuit, but he didn’t progress from there and finished a long way behind in eleventh place.
Peter Bowen’s Francky Du Berlais, with Ben Jones riding, was in midfield first time round, only to drop back steadily the longer the race went on. Jones hadn’t ridden in the National before and said, “That was one of the greatest thrills of my life. I couldn’t have asked for a better partner.” He came home in his own time, 16th of the 17 finishers. Market Rasen’s big race in July will probably be his target.
With Evan Williams’ Secret Reprieve not making the cut again, Adam Wedge was free to tide Back On The Lash, who’d shown good form on Cheltenham’s cross country course. He ran well for the first three miles but a mistake at the Foinavon fence spoiled whatever chance he had and he was pulled up before crossing the Melling road.
Tim Vaughan’s grey Eva’s Oskar was easy to follow. He was going well at the fence before Becher’s second time round, in a group only about four lengths behind the leader. On the landing side a melee in front of him gave him nowhere to go and Alan Johns was knocked out of the side door. Perhaps he will have better luck next year.
Jack Tudor rode Dunboyne for Gordon Elliott. He was last for much of the race until pulling up after the water jump.
In contrast, Tudor had an armchair ride on Sunday at Wincanton riding Duc De Beauchene. David Pipe’s well-handicapped ten-year-old was always going nicely and could be identified as the winner a long way out. He joined the leaders at the end of the back straight and a motionless Tudor led him stride on early on the run for home. He trotted up, and a quick reappearance under a penalty must be on the cards.
Connor Brace won the closing bumper at Wincanton on the Fergal O’Brien debutant Horaces Pearl. Dropped out at the back of the five runners, he showed a great turn of foot two furlongs out to dash into the lead. Unraced Henderson and Nicholls horses followed him home, so the winner may be smart.
