Ffos Las Double

  Itseemslikeit & Royal Mer Ffos Las Winners

It was fantastic to get a nice double at Ffos Las yesterday thanks to Itseemslikeit and Royal Mer.  The other horses all ran well as well so it was a good day all round!  Itseemlikeit is a giant of a horse who is still a bit green and babyish but he is very athletic and has a super attitude.  He led the field, jumped well and responded well when asked for more as the favourite came to challenge to win going away.  He relished the step up to 2m4f and it was a lovely performance from an exciting four year old.  I imagine we will give him time and keep in low key for the foreseeable as he really is one to look forward to for the future.

Royal Mer won on chasing debut under a great ride from Jack Tudor.  He arrived from France last season and like a lot of horses that come across the channel he has just taken a little while to acclimatize.  He ran well on a couple of occasions last term but we knew then his future lay over fences and after a summer at grass he has come in a different horse.  This was the first win of his life of a mark of 93 but I think there is plenty more to come from our five year old this season and he will continue to progress.  He jumps well, I don’t think the ground will ever be soft enough and I think he will stay further as well.

Chauffeur Driven ran well to be third in the 2 mile maiden hurdle.  The market principals quickened away from him after the third last but he kept going and will appreciate a step up in trip next time.  Kepagge made a pleasing chasing debut to also be third, on the whole jumping well bar a couple of errors that did not help his cause.  He got a little tired from the second last but he should improve a bit for the outing and I am sure he can be winning over the larger obstacles very soon.  Duc De Beauchene went to the races but was a non-runner at the course.  Phantomofthepoints ran well on stable debut to be second in the bumper.  Upsides in front throughout, jockey Gearoid Harney quickened the pace from over three furlongs out but a newcomer trained by Evan Williams went past before our five year old responded and galloped all the way to the line. While I’m not sure if it will be another bumper next or hurdling he still looks a lovely prospect for the future.  All the horses have come home safe and sound which is the main thing and we can look forward to some nice days ahead with them all.

Today we have two runners at two different meetings.  Pachacuti runs at Market Rasen and Makanao stays more local at Wincanton.  Pachacuti made a pleasing chasing debut at Warwick last time to be second.  While we were a little fortunate with our finishing position due to a couple of fallers, I liked how he finished is race and tried hard.  He will be sharper for the run and this represents a slight drop in grade so I hope he has a good chance at about 9/2 second best in the betting.  Venetia Williams trains the favourite and he runs with a seven pound penalty for a win at Ffos Las last time.  Her horses are in cracking form but this one is only one pound ‘well in’ today and the ground and track are a bit different today so hopefully we can give that one something to think about at the very least.  Jack Tudor rides.

Makanao runs in the 3.50pm handicap hurdle at Wincanton over 2m4f and David Noonan rides.  This is our three year olds first try in a handicap and he gets a handy weight allowance from his elders.  He steps up in trip to 2m4f which should suit, as should the drying ground.  Cheek pieces have returned after the blinkers lit him up too much last time at Sedgefield and even though I think it is sometimes difficult  for juveniles in handicaps, he is a lovely big sort who I hope can improve on his first two starts over hurdles.

There are once again three jumps meetings today at Market Rasen, Newcastle and Wincanton, the racing continues thick and fast!  There is an all-weather meeting at Wolverhampton and in Ireland they have jumping at Thurles. 

Why did the sad ghost us an elevator?

To lift his spirits!  Have a good day!