Il Est Francais debuts for Dan Skelton in feature at Ffos Las
Ffos Las stages a high-quality midweek jumps card with a trio of contests likely to attract plenty of attention. Headlining the meeting is the Faucets Handicap Chase, where Il Est Francais will make his debut for Dan Skelton after a change of yard.
A dual Grade 1 winner in his earlier career, Il Est Francais arrives with a record that includes the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase. His recent form has been disappointing, having been pulled up on each of his last three starts, and connections have opted to move him across to Skelton’s Lambourn operation in the hope that a new environment can revive the horse’s best form. The hurdling and chasing programme at Ffos Las will give observers their first chance to see how he settles in his new colours, though he will be asked to concede weight to a number of useful rivals in the handicap.
Crebilly and a deep handicap line-up
Jonjo and AJ O’Neill’s Crebilly is among the main alternatives in the feature. A recent winner over fences at Worcester, he holds an advantage of race-fitness and has been campaigned with a view to improving his experience at this level. The card also contains a number of other interesting handicap candidates dropping back from higher-class assignments, including horses who contested top-level events earlier in the season and now find themselves on more favourable marks.
Listed novice chase takes centre-stage
The Listed Adept GRP Cabinets Novices’ Chase brings together an intriguing collection of young chasers. Paul Nicholls’ Tutti Quanti, a Grade 1-placed hurdler who was an impressive winner in the William Hill Hurdle earlier in the year, lines up on his first start over fences. The step into chasing represents the logical career progression for a horse rated primarily on his hurdling form, and he will be monitored closely on his fencing debut under Sam Twiston-Davies.
Dan Skelton saddles Captain Teague, another high-class recruit to his yard who joins from Paul Nicholls. A Grade 1-winning novice hurdler, Captain Teague has previously shown ability over fences but endured a setback after an initial victory in that sphere. His reappearance for Skelton will reveal whether he can recapture his earlier promise on this switch of stable.
Also of note are George’s Lad, who impressed when winning at Haydock and steps up to chasing for the first time, and Tamarind Bay, a proven performer over fences whose experience could make him competitive in a race where a faultless round is often decisive.
Novice handicap chase features promising types
The JCP Solicitors Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase at 2.20pm looks a strong renewal, with Sinnatra and Pourquoi Pas Papa heading the entries. Sinnatra, trained by Dan Skelton, progressed through his hurdle campaign and finished his season with an eye-catching performance at Aintree; this is his first assignment over larger obstacles in a handicap, and he is expected to be a forward-going type.
Pourquoi Pas Papa, a four-year-old for Paul Nicholls and Sam Twiston-Davies, carries the usual weight allowance associated with his age and brings a promising Aintree placing into the contest. Light Fandango, who arrives having won back-to-back handicap hurdles at Doncaster and Musselburgh, also merits respect if he transfers that form to fences, while Wandering Ego and Desertmore News complete a compact but competitive quintet.
Other races of interest
- Veterans’ Handicap Chase (2.55pm)— Nocte Volatus, Ben Solo and Iron Bridge are among those expected to feature in what is typically a competitive veteran’s heat.
- Adept GRP Cabinets Native River Handicap Chase (4.05pm)— King Roly arrives in good order following a convincing recent success at Worcester and will be pitched against Viroflay, a former Newton Abbot winner who carries an inflated mark after his last victory.
- Enigma Flooring Handicap Chase (5.13pm)— The card closes with a competitive handicap where the market is likely to focus on a couple of established performers.
With a mix of returning graded performers, stable debutants and promising novices over fences, Wednesday’s Ffos Las card presents several storylines of interest for racegoers and followers of the jumps season. The meeting will give connections and punters alike an early glimpse of how several notable horses have come out of their recent breaks and how new yard and chasing assignments might influence their campaigns moving forward.
This article may have been prepared in whole or in part with the assistance of artificial intelligence.
