Trainers' big plans for course opening

- Monday August 24 2009

Britain's top trainers are planning their assaults on Ffos Las's biggest race day.

The likes of champion trainer Paul Nicholls, David Pipe, Jonjo O'Neill and Philip Hobbs all have a host of runners entered for Friday's meeting at Britain's newest turf venue.

The card features a handicap chase worth £50,000, plus valuable supporting events on a seven-race card.

The meeting has also attracted entries from a number of top Irish stables, which will be a big boost to the course management, who are keen to develop strong links with yards from across the Irish Sea.

A number of leading Welsh trainers, such as Peter Bowen, Evan Williams, Tim Vaughan and Alison Thorpe all look certain to have runners.

The highlight of the card is the Freebets.co.uk Handicap Chase, where Snoopy Loopy, who sprang one of the biggest shocks of last jumps season when landing the Betfair Chase at 33-1, will seek to seal what should be a memorable day for Ffos Las owner Dai Walters.

The 11-year-old enjoyed a lucrative 2008, supplementing his Haydock success with two valuable summer victories and an excellent third under top weight in the Hennessy Gold Cup.

Although a long way below his best from Christmas onwards, the Peter Bowen-trained veteran is reported in good shape for his return.

Bowen said: "It would mean a fair bit to win, especially as he's owned by the man who owns the racecourse.

"We've been keen to run him in the race ever since it was programmed and it's the reason we brought him back into training when we did, about seven weeks ago."

Among those who could line up against him are Hoo La Baloo, who finished a fine second at Newton Abbot on Saturday, the talented Boychuk and Nostringsattached, who was successful at Ffos Las's opening meeting in June and formed part of a treble for Tony McCoy.

McCoy is again scheduled to ride at the Trimsaran course, while Irish champ Ruby Walsh is also likely to travel over.

A total of 251 horses have been declared for the seven races.

Story Credit - www.thisissouthwales.co.uk