Race of the Day: Chasing debutant to note at Ffos Las

At The Races expert Gary Nutting takes aim at a competitive handicap chase at Ffos Las, with a chasing debutant taking his eye in our Race of the Day feature.

The groundwork

Ffos Las is a galloping, left-handed circuit with a straight of just over half a mile. It’s an essentially level course, albeit with a very slight rise down the far side and the opposite in the home straight.

It’s recognised as a fair track with a short run-in and the chase course provides a good test of jumping ability. Top trainers, strike-rate wise in the last three years, are John Flint, Jamie Snowden, Fergal O’Brien and Peter Bowen.

Jockeys with the best strike-rates over the same period are Sean Bowen (also top on number of winners), Conor Brace, Gavin Sheehan and Tom Scudamore – the Vickers.Bet Handicap Chase (2:18pm) looks an intriguing test.

The leading fancies

How’s The Cricket

Makes chase debut off same mark as when first past post in conditional jockeys’ handicap hurdle over 2m5f on soft ground at Newton Abbot in March (first run for this stable and wearing first-time tongue-tie).