Chepstow’s recent jumps season opener did not feature any chases because of the ground, but some of the races were rearranged at Ffos Las last week and champion trainer Dan Skelton and his jockey brother Harry unleashed two exciting prospects.
The first of those was Sinnatra (photographed), a decent novice hurdler last term when he was a fine second in a Grade 1 at Aintree’s Grand National meeting.
He went off a 9-4 chance in the 2m novice handicap at Ffos Las on Wednesday behind Pourquoi Pas Papa, the 2-1 market leader. However, he produced a few untidy leaps and was no match for the winner who strolled home to score by seven and a half lengths - a performance his trainer was “blown away” by.
Next up was Captain Teague, who lined up in the Listed novice chase.
Like Sinnatra, he used to be trained by Dan Skelton’s mentor Paul Nicholls but was switched yards by owner Johnny de la Hey over the summer.
To add extra spice to the contest, Nicholls, who trains Pourquoi Pas Papa, was also responsible for Tutti Quanti, a talented hurdler and the 8-11 favourite.
He was given a bold ride by Sam Twiston-Davies and built up a big lead on the final circuit but could not hold on and was reeled in by Captain Teague who won a Grade 1 when in the care of Nicholls but had lost his way.
It will be interesting to see if he can build on his first start for Skelton, also represented at Ffos Las by Il Est Francais, the 2024 King George VI Chase runner-up.
He is new to the Skelton operation as well having been transferred from Tom George but could manage only fifth in the 2m3½f handicap chase, another race moved from Chepstow and one that went the way of Torneo.
It was, nonetheless, an encouraging effort from Il Est Francais given he had failed to finish in three outings last season.
Pembrokeshire trainer Rebecca Curtis has, unsurprisingly, enjoyed more winners at Ffos Las than anywhere else and bagged another courtesy of The Boola Boss, who was three lengths too good for his rivals in the veterans’ chase.
The most valuable race on the Ffos Las card was the Native River Handicap Chase, which had a first prize of £27,758 and was won by Ballycamus, who is trained by Nigel Twiston-Davies and his son Willy.
Twiston-Davies’ other son Sam did the steering on the capable nine-year-old, who overcame a 207-day absence but was hailing from a stable enjoying a good spell. Ffos Las also races on Thursday, when the first of seven races is at 1.26pm.
It is a meeting that was not originally in the diary but replaces one that was due to take place at Ludlow, where ground conditions - after a red-hot summer - are too quick.
The next racing at Chepstow, meanwhile, is on November 4. Seven races are programmed and proceedings begin at 12.53pm.
