Our Dream Queen, trained by Barry Hills at Lambourn and ridden by his jockey son Michael made turf history last week winning the first ever flat race at Ffos Las.
The new Welsh circuit staged its first meeting over jumps a few weeks ago and it was the turn of the flat racing fraternity to enjoy the Welsh hospitality at the second ever meeting at the country’s newest racing venue.
The Calne-based PR Agency Sporting Horse Promotions, in conjunction with Activity Superstore.com has put together a unique raceday experience for horse racing fans combining a days racing at the new Ffos Las racecourse for its August 28 National Hunt meeting, with a private tour beforehand to local trainer Alison Thorpe.
As a bonus the day also sees the official opening of the course by Sir Peter O’Sullivan with Cerys Matthews playing live after racing.
“The Activity Superstore Discover Horse racing days have been running since 2000 and over the years have encouraged many armchair viewers and newcomers to come racing. Both the BHA and many trainers have supported us over the years,” said Becci Berry of Sporting Horse Prom-otions.
To join the Ffos Las group on August 28 or for details of other similar format race days at Cheltenham, Haydock or Newbury visit www.activity superstore.com/activity.aspx or call 0870 111 8283.
The Glorious Goodwood fixture, that has been running since Tuesday on the picturesque Sussex Downs, enters its final day on Saturday where the feature race of the day is the Group 1 Bluesquare.com Nassau Stakes run over one mile two furlongs.
With prize money of £200,000 on offer the race has attracted some smart performers with entries from France and Ireland.
Newmarket trainer Sir Michael Stoute, fresh from his first, second and third in last weekend’s King George and Queen Elizabeth Stakes would look to be in with a shout of landing another big pay day with his charge Heaven Sent, ridden by Ryan Moore. For backers looking for bigger odds the Bluesquare.com Stewards Cup would look to be the answer with a huge field going to post for the six furlong Heritage Handicap.
A case could be made for several of the runners and no doubt the going on the day and the draw will play a big part.
However, trainer Clive Cox has his string in good form and his charge Jimmy Styles could run a big race, recent winner Knot in Wood could go well as could top weight Asset, the mount of Frankie Dettori.
One that could go well at a big price is Hitchens ridden by 3lb claimer Neil Brown, the four year old is the columns tentative each way selection.
Sri Putra, a winner at12/1 for this column last week has been entered in the Listed Premier Stakes, the second race on the card and could go in again while the two year old Nursery could go to top weight Stargaze the mount of Davis Probert.
Other meetings are scheduled for Newmarket, where their first three races are covered live by Channel 4 cameras, the first race, a two year old Fillies Nursery could be won by the Ed Dunlop trained Snow Fairy.
Doncaster and Thirsk are the venues for Northern race goers with evening meetings at Lingfield and Hamilton.
The local meeting at Newbury on Sunday gets under way at 1.35 with the Bathwick Tyres Amateur Riders Handicap where the harry Dunlop trained Peter Grimes could be worth an each way interest ridden by Joshua Moore.
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