Speed Can Master Ffos Las Rivals

Ffos Las hosts just a modest meeting on Sunday, but Speed Master is just the sort to make a better chaser than a hurdler, and looks to have been given a real chance by the handicapper in the Coolmore National Hunt Sires Novices' Limited Handicap Chase at 15:05. There are plenty of other positives, too, with a long absence offset by his trainer's excellent record with similar types, with Hollow Blue Sky another to have made a winning debut over fences after a long absence recently. Add to that the desire for track supremo Dai Walters to have his venue showcased by his best horses, with Oscar Whisky the most notable example.

From a handicapping perspective, Speed Master looks very well treated, having made the frame in a pair of ultra-competitive handicaps over hurdles in the spring of 2012 off a BHA mark of 126, the first of those being the prestigious EBF Final at Sandown. No doubt the official handicapper has bent the rules by allowing the Twiston-Davies runner into this 0-125 event, and while that single pound in weight may not seem significant, it basically allows the son of King's Theatre to beat up some inferior rivals. The pick of those is Hansupfordetroit, who may well have beaten Sivola de Sivola over three miles here last time but for a late blunder. He stayed on all the way to the line there, and clearly doesn't lack for stamina, but he's likely to be comprehensively done for toe by the selection today.

I've been accused by a regular reader (hi James) of putting the mockers on Emma Lavelle runners here in recent weeks, although I think Standing Ovation can take much of the blame, if I'm being honest. For that reason, I won't be tipping up Gullinbursti at Market Rasen, but I think you get the gist. Instead, the second selection of the day goes to Wily Fox in the closing handicap hurdle at Market Rasen. Not discredited in 3 Flat runs this year, it's a couple of runs over hurdles in the spring which highlight his chance. In February at Taunton, he finished third to Xaarcet and Man of Leisure, with Qalinas behind, and that trio have franked the form in no uncertain terms since, with a hatful of wins between them.

Wily Fox himself did his bit for the form when scoring over C&D next time, and the third and fourth that day were both next-time-out winners. The selection wasn't seen to best effect under a penalty next time, but the collateral form of those earlier efforts suggests he remains on a winning mark, and he bounced back when runner-up to a well handicapped rival on the Flat next time. With the promising Kieron Edgar booked today, he looks a decent bet to add another win to his CV.

Recommendations:

Back Speed Master @ [3.4] in the 15:05 Ffos Las (NAP)

Back Wily Fox @ [5.2] in the 15:50 Market Rasen (NB)