This year has been Shirenewton trainer Grace Harris’ finest on the flat and she is on her way to a personal-best over jumps too.
Harris, the daughter of fellow trainer Ron, was granted a licence to train by the BHA in 2014 and has done well on the flat in the last few years, saddling 13 winners in 2023 and 15 last term.
With 17 on the board for 2025 and record prize-money, Harris has had six winners over jumps this season and looks poised to better the seven she achieved in 2021-22.
The latest of those came at Lingfield last week when The Big Reveal lined up in a 2m7½f handicap chase.
Owned by Foxhills Racing Limited, The Big Reveal had been off since February and had not won a race, but was able to rectify that in the hands of Joe Anderson, the yard’s go-to rider when it comes to jump racing.
The 4-1 chance was always in touch with the leaders, but pressed on during the second circuit and was pushed along by Anderson to lead three out.
Bold two from home, the gelding looked to have things under full control, but Anderson lost an iron after the last and The Big Reveal wandered around a little under pressure in the straight.
However, the rider was able to kick on and seal what was ultimately a cosy three-length victory.
It is particularly impressive Harris’ six winners in the code have come from just 23 runners and things could have become even better as Inion Tiogair went on to finish second on the Lingfield card.
That was where Sam Thomas had to settle for too in Saturday’s Paddy Power Gold Cup.
The trainer, based not far from Cardiff, ran the well-regarded Vincenzo, who went off the 100-30 favourite but was not able to deny Panic Attack in the prestigious handicap, which was worth £160,000.
Champion jockey Sean Bowen was able to celebrate a couple of winners at Cheltenham over the weekend and earned plaudits for his effort on Wade Out in the Listed novice chase on Friday.
The 9-4 shot was never fluent at his fences and was the first runner to come under pressure, but Bowen never accepted defeat and conjured a strong late run from the six-year-old, who won quite comfortably in the end.
Racing takes place at Ffos Las on Wednesday, when the first of six races is due off at 1.05pm, while a stack of horses have been entered for Chepstow’s seven-race card on Friday.
They include potential runners from the powerful yards of Paul Nicholls, Nicky Henderson, Dan Skelton and Olly Murphy.
It is a 12.24pm start there and children aged 17 and under can enter for free if they are accompanied by an adult.
Tickets are still available and can be purchased via Chepstow’s website, while temperatures will be around the 7c mark with light rain possible as well.
