News Nicky Richards launches dual Welsh Champion raid at Ffos Las

Nicky Richards launches dual Welsh Champion raid at Ffos Las

racing

One For Harry and Top Billing give trainer Nicky Richards a decent hand in the Dribuild Ltd Welsh Champion Hurdle at Ffos Las today.

Both horses can cope with what are sure to be testing conditions and travel to Carmarthenshire from Richards' base in Cumbria in good heart.

One For Harry has won two of his three starts this winter, with his only blip coming when pulled up in the 'Fixed Brush' Handicap Hurdle at Haydock in November.

"He's had a good year. He won a nice handicap at Carlisle to start with," said Richards.

"He then went to Haydock, but you can put a line through that. He'd had a bad experience there the year before and he just hadn't forgot about it.

"He bounced back at Wetherby and won nicely. He's in grand form and will love the heavy ground. Hopefully he will get in a good rhythm and will run a good race."

Top Billing, a three-time scorer last term, has finished first and second in his two races this campaign, chasing home Zeroeshadesofgrey at Doncaster on his latest outing.

"He's been in grand form and has run a couple of real good races this year on the back of a few good ones last year as well," said Richards.

"He ran a very good race at Doncaster last time. He will handle the ground, he stays well and he should run a good race as well."

Kayf Moss was runner-up to Silsol in this race 12 months ago and reopposes on better terms, with the handicapper putting him down by 4lb compared to last year's mark.

Trainer John Flint reports his eight-year-old to be in top form as he aims to go one better.

"We were pleased with his run last year. His preparation has all gone well again this year," said the Bridgend handler.

"We are pleased with the way he has come out of his race at Chepstow four weeks ago and we are looking forward to the race.

"He likes the track, the ground is not going to be a worry to him. I think it is a better race than it has been over the last couple of years, but we are very pleased going into it.

"At Chepstow last time he was just tapped a little bit for toe over the two-mile-four. The ground will be heavier which will suit us and play to our strengths."

Oliver Sherwood believes the testing conditions will bring out the best in Deputy Dan, who has been placed behind number one staying hurdler Thistlecrack in his last two starts.

"Leighton (Aspell) schooled him over some hurdles on Thursday and he'll love the ground. It will be bottomless and that's very important to him," the Lambourn handler told At The Races.

"He might go to Fontwell after this for a conditions race. He's in the World Hurdle, hand on heart I can't see him winning a World Hurdle at the moment, but I could see him being placed. It would depend on the ground."

After three races over fences culminating in success at Chepstow a month ago, Racing Pulse reverts to hurdles as a prep run for the Cheltenham Festival. The timing of this race fits in nicely for trainer Rebecca Curtis, who is targeting the novice handicap chase for the seven-year-old.

"He acts on that heavy ground and it's very good prize-money," said Curtis. "I think he might go well on that ground. We'll give it a go.

"He's going to Cheltenham, but over fences. I thought his mark was nice for that novice handicap chase so we thought we'd give him a run over hurdles to get something in before the Festival."

Nigel Twiston-Davies feels Goodbye Dancer could run a good race off bottom weight.

"He loves a test of stamina so the ground will help him on that score," said the Naunton handler.

"I'm a bit disappointed he's 4lb out in the weights, but we've got Jamie Bargary claiming the 5lb which puts him right again. It's sure to be a big slog but we must have a chance."

Evan Williams is happy to let Roadie Joe tackle handicap company for the first time after the Irish point-to-point scorer's winning run was halted at Sandown in December.

The seven-year-old was fifth to Label Des Obeaux in the Winter Novices' Hurdle after he had completed a hat-trick in the Grade Two Persian War Novices' Hurdle at Chepstow.

The Llancarfan trainer said: "His last run at Sandown was his best run. He carried a Grade Two penalty for winning the Persian War. We just thought in a handicap it was worth a crack.

"The ground is something he's not encountered before, but the boys in Ireland say he will handle it, so we thought we'd give it a go. His best form in Ireland was on very soft ground, he just wasn't seeing it out over three miles. Hopefully he will handle the conditions."