Ffos Las
Sunday, 12 April 2026 · 2m3½f · Good To Soft · chase · Class Class 5 · £3,697
Race Assessment
Class 5 handicap chase over 2m3½f on good to soft going. Boston Joe looks the most likely winner having won over C&D last time and taken well to Ffos Las. Lunar Ocean remains a maiden but has been second six times over fences and looks the main danger with visor retained.
Key Factors
- •Course form crucial - Boston Joe has excellent Ffos Las record
- •Several maidens seeking breakthrough
- •Equipment changes on several runners
- •Good to soft conditions suit most
Going
Good to soft conditions should suit most runners, particularly those with previous form on similar ground. L'Empire Vert showed best form on good ground which may count against.
Pace
Likely to be a moderate pace with few front-runners. L'Empire Vert made all last time and could set the tempo again. This may suit hold-up horses like Lunar Ocean and Boston Joe.
Recommendations (2)
Manhattan Valley (FR)
eachway7/10Confidence: 5/10Interesting handicap debutant with solid point form who could be well-handicapped off 83. The 94-day break suggests connections have had time to prepare him properly, and Christian Williams knows how to place horses. At 13.0, he offers value against a field of mainly exposed performers.
Suggested stake: 1.5% of bank
Italian Spirit (IRE)
eachway7/10Confidence: 5/10Shaped much better in blinkers last time at Exeter despite the bare result, and the drop back from 3m to 2m3½f looks ideal. At 12.0 in a weak race, he offers each-way value despite being winless over fences.
Suggested stake: 1.5% of bank
Runner Analysis
Calli Black
Non-runner, withdrawn from the race.
Dublin To Milan (IRE)
Struggled since switching to chasing with two pull-ups but has pointing experience that suggests better is possible. The return to smaller field may help but needs to prove he can complete the course.
- + Pointing background
- + Smaller field may help
- - Two pull-ups over fences
- - Poor trainer form
- - Hasn't shown chase form yet
Lunar Ocean (IRE)
Consistent performer who has been second six times over fences and shaped well in visor last time at Plumpton. Still a maiden but clearly has ability and this trip suits.
- + Consistent placings over fences
- + Good recent form
- + Visor helping
- + Solid jockey booking
- - Still a maiden
- - Needs to find winning touch
Ezmerellda (IRE)
Hurdles winner in 2023 but form for new stable is unconvincing and switch to chasing needs to spark major improvement. Hard to fancy at current level.
- + Previous hurdles winner
- - Poor recent form
- - New stable struggles
- - Unproven over fences
Manhattan Valley (FR)
Interesting newcomer to handicap chasing with solid point form. The 94-day break and Christian Williams yard could have him primed for improvement on handicap debut.
- + Good point form
- + Handicap/chase debut
- + Fresh after break
- + Proven trainer
- - Unconvincing over hurdles
- - Amateur jockey
- - Needs to translate point form
Boston Joe (IRE)
Course specialist with excellent Ffos Las record (4-15) who won over C&D last time. Goes up 4lb but looks the most reliable performer in the field.
- + Excellent course record
- + Won last time over C&D
- + Proven at this level
- - Up 4lb in weights
- - Age factor at 10
L'Empire Vert (FR)
Made all to win last time but that was over 2m and best form is on good ground rather than current conditions. The step back up in trip is questionable.
- + Won last time
- + Front-running style
- - Prefers good ground
- - Best form over 2m
- - Distance question
Golden Millie (GB)
Lightly raced mare making chase debut but has course form with bumper win here in 2022. The combination of chasing debut and return to Ffos Las could spark improvement.
- + Course winner
- + Lightly raced
- + Chase debut
- - Unproven over fences
- - Limited recent form
Just Aidan (IRE)
Mixed results since switching to chasing and was disappointing favourite last time. The cheekpieces haven't sparked improvement yet and trainer form is poor.
- + Proven ability
- - Disappointing recent form
- - Poor trainer form
- - Equipment changes not working
Italian Spirit (IRE)
Winless over fences but shaped better in blinkers last time at Exeter. The drop back to this trip from 3m looks ideal and could spark improvement.
- + Better effort last time
- + Drop in trip suits
- + Blinkers helping
- - Winless over fences
- - Poor trainer form
Devilsrollthedice (IRE)
Maiden with pointing experience but folded tamely over 3m last time. The drop back in trip may help but needs to prove he can stay involved over fences.
- + Pointing experience
- + Drop in trip
- - Still a maiden
- - Folded tamely last time
- - Unproven over fences
Ferando (IRE)
Six-race maiden trying cheekpieces for first time instead of tongue-tie. Needs significant improvement to feature but equipment change could help.
- + Equipment change
- + Low weight
- - Six-race maiden
- - Poor recent form
- - Unproven
No Value
Likely winner with excellent course record but odds of 4.0 accurately reflect his strong chance
Solid second-string chance but odds of 4.0 fairly price his consistent placing record
Avoid
Poor form for new stable and switch to chasing needs to spark major improvement that seems unlikely
Disappointing since equipment changes and trainer form is very poor at 0/7
Runners (12)
| Pos | Draw | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | OR | Weight | Odds | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | Calli Black | NON-RUNNER | David Weston | 92 | 161lbs | - | 0/10 |
| 11 | - | Dublin To Milan (IRE) | Ned Fox(3) | Clive Boultbee-Brooks | 83 | 152lbs | 8.5 | 4/10 |
| 4 | - | Lunar Ocean (IRE) | Gavin Sheehan | Billy Aprahamian | 78 | 147lbs | 4.0 | 6/10 |
| 3 | - | Just Aidan (IRE) | James Best | Harriet Dickin | 88 | 157lbs | 15.0 | 4/10 |
| 5 | - | Boston Joe (IRE) | Ben Jones | Rebecca Curtis | 99 | 168lbs | 4.0 | 6/10 |
| 7 | - | Devilsrollthedice (IRE) | Sean Houlihan | Gordon Treacy | 80 | 149lbs | 9.5 | 4/10 |
| 9 | - | Ezmerellda (IRE) | Charlie Price | Sarah-Jayne Davies | 73 | 142lbs | 41.0 | 3/10 |
| 8 | - | Manhattan Valley (FR) | Mr J J Murphy-Knight(7) | Christian Williams | 87 | 156lbs | 13.0 | 7/10 |
| 1 | - | L'Empire Vert (FR) | Callum Pritchard(3) | Sheila Lewis | 91 | 160lbs | 10.0 | 5/10 |
| 6 | - | Golden Millie (GB) | Charlie Deutsch | Dan Horsford | 89 | 158lbs | 13.0 | 5/10 |
| 2 | - | Italian Spirit (IRE) | Miss Megan Bevan(7) | Harriet Dickin | 86 | 155lbs | 12.0 | 7/10 |
| 10 | - | Ferando (IRE) | Tom Cannon | Barry John Murphy | 73 | 142lbs | 12.0 | 4/10 |