Ffos Las Racecourse will stage an engaging six-race National Hunt meeting on Monday, March 16, with the action scheduled from 2:30pm to 5:00pm. The card features a mix of handicap hurdles, novice hurdles, steeple chases and a mares’ National Hunt Flat race, offering opportunities for both emerging and experienced runners across a variety of distances.
The afternoon begins at 2:30pm with The Plan A Conditional Jockeys’ Mares’ Handicap Hurdle Race, a Class 5 contest run over 2m 4f 86y with a prize fund of £6,150. Six runners are declared for the opening event, which provides conditional jockeys with an opportunity to demonstrate their riding skills in a competitive mares’ hurdle. Races of this type often highlight promising riders as they continue to build experience in National Hunt racing.
Race two is scheduled for 3:00pm and features The Good Luck Barry Murphy Handicap Steeple Chase, another Class 5 event worth £6,150. The race will be contested over 2m 3f 145y and has attracted a field of seven runners. With several experienced chasers set to tackle the fences, the race promises to be an interesting contest as runners aim to show their stamina and jumping ability over the intermediate distance.
The third race on the programme takes place at 3:30pm with The Celtic Subaru Novices’ Hurdle Race. This Class 4 contest carries a prize fund of £10,000 and will be run over 2m 4f 86y. Four runners have been declared, each seeking to continue their development in the novice hurdling division. Such races often serve as an important step in the progression of young or less experienced horses as they gain valuable experience over hurdles.
The highlight of the afternoon arrives at 4:00pm with The Sarnau Stables Joins Barry Murphy Racing Welsh Gold Cup Handicap Steeple Chase. This Class 3 staying contest is the most valuable race on the card with £17,500 in prize money and will be run over a distance of 3m 40y. A competitive field of nine runners has been declared for the feature race, bringing together several experienced staying chasers.
Among the runners is Loughderg Rocco, who will be ridden by Sean Bowen for trainer Olly Murphy. The ten-year-old carries 12st and holds an official BHA rating of 129. Another notable runner is Saint Palais, partnered by Harry Bannister for trainer Richard Bandey. The nine-year-old carries 11st 12lbs and has a rating of 127.
Also lining up is Fortunate Man, a seven-year-old trained by Jonjo O’Neill and A J O’Neill. The gelding carries 11st 12lbs and holds a BHA rating of 127. Big City Roller will be ridden by Lilly Pinchin for trainer Charlie Longsdon and carries 11st 10lbs with a rating of 125.
Further depth to the field comes from Alfie’s Princess, a nine-year-old mare ridden by Dylan Johnston for trainer Sam Thomas. She carries 11st 7lbs and holds a rating of 122. Karuma Grey will be partnered by Shane Fenelon for trainer Barry Murphy and carries 10st 13lbs.
The remaining runners include Puddlesinthepark, ridden by Conor Ring for trainer Cynthia Woods, carrying 10st 10lbs with a rating of 111. Genietoile will be ridden by Ben Jones for trainer Rebecca Curtis, carrying 10st 9lbs with a rating of 110. Completing the field is Face d’Music, a seven-year-old partnered by Shane Quinlan for trainer Katy Price, carrying 10st 7lbs with a rating of 108.
Race five on the card is The Blackmores Handicap Hurdle Race at 4:30pm. This Class 4 contest is worth £7,700 and will be run over 2m 4f 86y, with eight runners declared for what should be another competitive hurdle contest during the afternoon.
The meeting concludes at 5:00pm with The Turf Services Mares’ Open Maiden National Hunt Flat Race, a Class 5 event offering £4,500 in prize money. The race will be run over 2m 24y and has attracted six runners. National Hunt Flat races provide mares with valuable early racecourse experience before they progress to hurdling or chasing in the future.
Overall, the six-race programme at Ffos Las promises an enjoyable afternoon of National Hunt racing, highlighted by the Welsh Gold Cup Handicap Steeple Chase and supported by a variety of contests that showcase both developing and experienced performers across the jumps discipline.
For more stories, results, and updates from the world of horse racing, stay tuned to Racebuzz.