14:35 Ffos Las

MOUNTAIN ASH (best price 4/1) came very close to scoring over course-and-distance on his penultimate, where the front two pulled clear of the third. He couldn’t quite match that form at Chepstow last time but he’s back down to a mark of 52, which has seen him finish runner-up three times, and the return of the cheekpieces are applied too. Given this race lacks strength in depth and he’s got the course form in his book off this mark, there’s an inclination that he might be about to strike here. Either way, it’s difficult to see him out of the frame against a poor field with four places widely available. 

Mountain Ash - 1pt e/w @ 4/1

15:23 Hamilton

Indemnify let us down last time and I’m keen to take him on in this race on this softer ground. Cockalorum would have claims if back to his best but the top-weight STUNNING BEAUTY (best price 5/1) has fallen to a career-low mark and if the mare can produce her best, she could be too good for these. Her trainer is 2-5 (40%) here over three last five years and this mare has been running well in generally tougher assignments than today’s event. She holds solid claims in this. 

FAYLAQ (best price 9/1) has rattled off a series of good efforts in defeat all year and hasn’t been beaten far the last three times in higher grade events. He has come from off the pace to be nearest the finish the last three times, including at this course back in August. That reads strong form in the context of this race and he’s two-pounds lower here. Astonishingly, he is twelve pounds below his last winning mark, albeit that was on the all-weather, and while the return to this shorter trip isn’t a plus, he’s in-form, has form against tougher opponents and has a fair each-way chance here. 

Stunning Beauty - 1pt @ 5/1
Faylaq - 0.5pts e/w

16:38 Newton Abbot

FOR PLEASURE (NAP) (best price 5/4) contested some really hot races towards the end of last season and while that didn’t materialise with any fortune due to being ridden with restraint, this much easier race, under positive tactics, should be too much for his three rivals to handle. An honourable third in the Grade 1 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at the 2021 Cheltenham Festival, he opened his account emphatically in this sphere at Plumpton last December and wasn’t disgraced when fourth in a Grade 1 at Aintree when last spotted. Alex Hales’ charge should be well-suited to this course and conditions will be suitable, so while this front-runner has to concede a lot of weight to Ramonor, his form is head and shoulders above what the latter has achieved, so he should have too much natural class and speed for these on his return under front-running tactics here.
For Pleasure - 2pts