Chepstow trainers Grace Harris and Tom Faulkner made the most of their trip west to Ffos Las on Thursday by striking on the card.
Harris has enjoyed her finest ever flat campaign in terms of winners and prize-money, but her jumpers have been in good form as well and Baikal has been the star of the show. He had won from lower handicap marks at Stratford and Newton Abbot over the summer and lined up as a 7-2 chance in the 2m handicap hurdle at Ffos Las.
Ridden by Joe Anderson (photographed), who had been aboard for those victories, the six-year-old was towards the rear, but made headway three hurdles from home and led just before the last to secure a two-and-a-quarter-length success for the Shirenewton-based Harris.
Prior to that, Faulkner, who trains not far away in Devauden, was smiling thanks to Mini Fortune. The mare had won five point-to-points but had not finished first over hurdles or fences under rules. Despite that, she went off the 13-8 favourite for the meeting’s novice handicap chase and had way too much for her six rivals.
In the hands of Ben Jones, Mini Fortune was settled early but crept into contention and was clear approaching the last. After that, the pair were able to draw away and win by nine and a half lengths. “She deserved that,” Faulkner said. “She won a few point-to-points, but it's a different job going from points to under rules.
“It was quite nice actually as her owner Nathan Pyne is from down that way and it's not long since he had a baby girl. All his family were there to see his first winner and enjoy it. That was his first winner under rules and my first jumps winner under rules.” Vale Of Glamorgan trainer Evan Williams also starred at Ffos Las, sending out a near-80-1 double.
First up was Puddlesinthepark, who provided Osian Radford with only his second winner in the 3m4f handicap chase - the richest race on the card - while D'Jo Dela Barriere landed the 3m handicap hurdle under Williams’ daughter Eleanor.
Further Welsh success on the day came in the first race, the 2m4f maiden hurdle, which went to Calme Olympien, who hails from Tim Vaughan’s operation near Cowbridge. He was partnered by James Bowen, whose riding counterpart Jack Tudor captured the 2m4f handicap hurdle on the David Pipe-trained Order Of The Dance.
The next fixture at Ffos Las races is Tuesday 28th October when six races are programmed with the first due off at 1.58pm.
The next action to take place at Chepstow is on November 5 and six races are also scheduled for that afternoon, which marks the track’s Military Race Day, while the venue also hosts a Fireworks Night on November 1. That features live music, street food from local vendors, a fairground with rides and attractions, and entertainment for children.
