Bowen stars, but now flat takes control

FLAT racing takes centre stage at Ffos Las between now and the middle of September.

So far this year, all of the fixtures have been over jumps, including an additional meeting which took place last Thursday following the abandonment of Worcester.

Racecourse ambassador Sean Bowen rode a winner on Buckeye Shan for his father Peter and champion jockey Richard Johnson enjoyed success in the last race aboard Braid Blue for Irish trainer Gordon Elliott.

It’s been a positive first six months of the year for Ffos Las with attendances up year on year.

The weather has played its part with barely a drop of rain falling on a raceday, but events such as Madness Race Night have brought significant numbers of new customers through the gates.

A crowd of just under 8,000 packed into the enclosures to see Suggs and the legendary band play through their extensive array of hits.

The first flat meeting of the year is next Monday, July 29. It’s an evening fixture with admission completely free of charge if you book in advance.

There is a dinner package in the restaurant for just £35 per head including a two-course meal and admission.

Welsh racing continues in rude health. Sean Bowen rode Mcgroarty to victory at Stratford on Sunday for in-form trainer Dr Richard Newland, while his brother James was also in the winner’s enclosure at the same meeting after Game Line won for Bridgend-based trainer Christian Williams.

Connor Brace rode a big-priced winner at Market Rasen on Saturday. He took the Listed Summer Handicap Hurdle aboard the 25-1 chance Grapevine for trainer Sophie Leech. It was his 13th winner of the season and came a day after he celebrated his 18th birthday.

Alan Johns and Tim Vaughan were another Welsh duo to have a winner on Sunday with Danboru at Newton Abbot.

There’s racing at Chepstow this Friday. It’s Caribbean Race Night with seven races and a performance after racing from Bob Marley tribute band The Trenchtown Experience. Tickets start from £20 in advance.