Crucial talks in bid to get crowds back

WE are meeting this week with the Welsh Government to discuss the path towards the return of spectators.

It is now almost a year since customers last came through the turnstiles at Ffos Las and we are keen to see how the Welsh authorities will react to Boris Johnson’s roadmap out of the pandemic for England.

It’s very difficult to guess what might happen, but we are hoping for trials with spectators potentially in May or early June.

Regardless of when these trials might take place, our preparations are already under way to ensure we have a safe environment awaiting customers. We have been racing behind closed doors for many months and have a tried-and-tested set of coronavirus procedures in place.

James and Sean Bowen are both in the running for Ride of the Month after their efforts in recent days.

Last Thursday at Chepstow James rode one of the most bizarre winners of his career. He was aboard the Nicky Hendersontrained Mot A Mot when his rein snapped in the early part of the contest. Somehow, despite only riding with the one remaining rein, he managed to stay aboard and won by a comfortable six lengths.

Sean’s ride on Hooligan for trainer Tom George at Newcastle on Saturday was another impressive effort. The 5-4 favourite never looked to be travelling in the twomile handicap hurdle and looked beaten as he trailed the field turning for home.

Yet Sean never admitted defeat, kept after his mount and was rewarded as the sixyear-old came from last to first, leading close home for a half-length win.

And I must mention Jack Tudor, who scored aboard Newland Cross at Chepstow. In the closing stages of the 3m 2f handicap chase, Sandford Castle had swept clear and looked certain to win, but Jack wasn’t giving up and fought back to get up on the line and score by a neck.

These rides go to highlight the strength in depth in the ranks of Welsh jockeys.

This month it’s the Cheltenham Festival and I’ll be keeping an eye on the horses competing who have won at Ffos Las. These include Tritonic, successful with us on the flat in August 2019, and a winner at Kempton on Saturday. He’s heading for the Triumph Hurdle. Last year’s Potter Group Welsh Champion Hurdle winner Sceau Royal runs in the Queen Mother Champion Chase. He has won 13 races since joining Alan King as a three-year-old.