Four At Ffos Las

It's a busy Tuesday evening at Ffos Las, with four runners at the Welsh track, although all four would probably be happier if some of the heavy rain showers hit the track. We have two in the fillies sprint, with both Ivors Princess and Madame Kintyre needing to find some form. Ivors Princess made a great start to her three-year-old career, winning her first two starts with ease at Salisbury but was absolutely hammered by the handicapper as she went up a whopping 18lbs. She then lost her confidence when racing in a higher grade and had a setback in the spring which has delayed her return to the track. Hopefully the smaller field will help her gain some confidence but she will probably strip fitter for the outing. Madame Kintyre has had a lot of problems since denied by a short-head at Windsor in June and although well handicapped, she has completely lost her way. Hopefully the small field will also help her gain some confidence as if returning to form she could certainly go very close but we will be happy if she just gets involved. Sweet Alabama went off too hard in first-time blinkers when fourth at Leicester, having looked likely to win entering the final furlong, which showed she's certainly capable of winning a race. She hasn't repeated the form on two subsequent starts and would prefer some rain today but off a light weight, she's capable of placing at least. Gaelic Ice has been in good form since the hood was applied, having a troubled run when second at Windsor and then got stuck a little wide when third stepped up to twelve furlongs at Ffos Las last time. Dropped into a weak 0-55 handicap, she should go very close and hopefully she gets off the mark as we could do with a winner, as we have found ourselves on the cold list, despite most of the horses running well recently.

Progressive three-year-old Astrum runs on the AW at Lingfield on Wednesday and although we would prefer turf, there are only eight runners and hopefully the weather isn't quite as hot as it will help reduce the kickback, which is particularly bad in the summer. As long as he handles the AW, he should go very close as it doesn't look the strongest of races and he was unlucky not to get his third win of the season when second at Pontefract last time as he was left with too much to do, having been hampered at the start. We also have Into The Wind at Sandown in the evening, the obvious question mark against her is the rise in grade as she is at her most competitive when racing at Class 6 level. However, she is progressing with age and her chance would be greatly increased if the thunderstorms hit Sandown as she loves soft ground. She had too much ground to make up last time and is better in smaller fields so she certainly won't be disgraced.

Poetic Verse Bids For Third Success

Poetic Verse has had a busy and successful winter, getting off the mark at Southwell in February and then showed improved form when stepped up to twelve furlongs to win at Lingfield three weeks ago. Her dam was a dual twelve furlong winner and this filly has clearly benefited from stepping up to the same trip and should give a good account at Kempton on Monday. She has only gone up three pounds for her Lingfield success, actually drops in grade from a 0-75 to 0-65 and the longer straight at Kempton should suit, so there is plenty in her favour. However, she has already had fifteen starts and may be vulnerable to some unexposed sorts that are starting out in handicaps. The Marco Botti trained Autrisk, by Authorised, may improve stepping up three furlongs on his handicap debut and the Queen's Handiwork has already done so, only beaten half a length at Lingfield last week, are such dangers. However, Poetic Verse has shown she's very tough and with Ryan Moore on board, the horses in great form, she should be in the frame at least.

We also have Sweet Alabama in the one mile maiden and she showed she had strengthened up during the winter when third on her return over course and distance. She should continue to progress with experience but faces much stronger competition on her third start and will probably find life easier in handicaps.