held up, headway 6th, every chance 3 out, soon ridden, weakened approaching last when jumped slowly
towards rear, mistake 5th, soon ridden, plugged on
led, headed 3 out, ridden and weakened
towards rear, ridden and headway 7th, close up 3 out, weakened approaching last
held up mid-division, headway 7th, ridden 2 out, chased clear winner last
in touch, led 2 out, soon driven clear
tracked leaders and keen, ridden approaching 3 out, led soon after, headed 2 out, one pace
in touch, weakening when jumped right 7th
in touch, weakened after 6th, behind when pulled up before 2 out
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened 7th
held up, ridden 7th, bad mistake 3 out, behind when pulled up before 2 out
It would be a fairytale story if FFOS LAS DIAMOND could win the first race staged at Britains newest racecourse and we will keep that dream alive, while Plunkett and Flexi Time are both worthy of respect. The selection is owned by Dai Walters who is the brainchild behind Ffos Las Racecourse and has spent many man hours making sure that the opening of this track is a success. Ffos Las Diamond has shown a decent level of form in his short career. Having run well in bumpers races he broke his maiden tag on his second hurdle run at Chepstow in April when getting the better of Fistral Beach. That form looks the best on offer and if he can reproduce that effort he will be difficult to beat. Plunkett is having his first run for Welsh trainer Evan Williams having run well for Michael Hourigan in Ireland. He has finished second in each of his last two hurdle races and any market support should be noted. Flexi Time is trained locally by trainer Alison Thorpe and is having his first run over hurdles having won and finished second twice in three bumper races. He is improving fast and with a clear round he will not be far away come the business end of the race. Ffos Las Diamond has the form in the book and will be a popular winner in the opener.
Ffos Las Diamond (IRE) 7-2 (11-0) Tracked leaders, jumped slowly 2nd, tracked leader 4 out, led approaching last, ridden out, won at Chepstow 2m mdn hdl (4) gd in Apr beating Fistral Beach (11-0) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
Ballygulleen (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) In touch, ridden after 7th, weakened after 3 out, 5th of 12, 34l behind Dais Return (11-5) at Newton Abbot 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gf in May.
Fealing Real (IRE) 8-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders in 4th, dropped to 8th under 6f out, no extra from under 4f out, tailed off, 9th of 12, well behind Schindler's Pearl (11-9) at Downpatrick 2m 2f N H flat gd in May.
Flexi Time (IRE) 17-2 (11-9) Prominent, led after 5f, ridden and headed over 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, 2nd of 15, 2 1/2l behind Get Me Out Of Here (11-2) at Uttoxeter 2m NH flat (6) gs in May.
Older And Wiser (FR) 7-1 (11-12) Rear of mid-division, headway from 4 out, moderate 5th entering straight, bad mistake 2 out, no impression, 4th of 18, 17l behind Big Boots (11-5) at Listowel 2m mdn hdl (6yo+) hvy in May.
Plunkett (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, 3rd after 4 out, challenged under pressure and on terms from 2 out, headed and kept on without matching winner from last, 2nd of 23, 1 1/4l behind Harro The Hero (11-12) at Cork 2m 4f mdn hdl (6yo+) gd in May.
Ballyvesey (IRE) 5-2 (10-8) In touch, pushed along and lost place 6th, outpaced 3 out, rallied to chase winner last, kept on one pace, 2nd of 5, 2l behind Breeze Out (11-5) at Hexham 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gf.
Sylroy 18-1 (10-9) In rear, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out, 6th of 11, 19l behind You And I (11-8) at Southwell 2m 5f (4) gd in May.
Francly Flora 20-1 (10-5) Mid-division, headway after 6th, led after 3 out, 4 lengths clear when fell next, in a race won by Bolton Hall (10-12) at Newton Abbot 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gd in May, 12 ran.
Tara Gale 5-1 (11-7) To & pu 14, in a race won by Rumbury Grey (12-0) at Bitterley 3m ptp in Apr, 16 ran.
Tubby Nugget 8-1 (11-7) in a race won by Bless Me Father (11-7) at Laleston 3m ptp in May, 14 ran.
Mexican Honeymoon 4-1 (11-5) Towards rear, ridden and headway 5f out, weakened 2f out, 6th of 12, 19l behind Alderluck (11-5) at Plumpton 2m 2f NH flat (6) sft in Jan '08.
