Ffos Las, Tuesday 5 May 2026 — Tips & Selections
A six-race card at Ffos Las on good ground, and while this is no festival card, there are some genuinely interesting angles to unpick. Rebecca Curtis's yard is running cold (0/4 in the last 14 days), Harry Derham's operation is firing (4/16), and Mickey Bowen's runners deserve a second look on his home track. Let's get into it.
2:48 — Weatherbys nhstallions.co.uk Handicap Hurdle (2m, Handicap Hurdle, 13 runners)
Thirteen runners, four places, and a wide-open market. This is the sort of race where the favourite looks beatable and there is each-way money to be made.
Berkshire Smudge (10/3, BetTom) is the pick. Rebecca Curtis may be out of form at the yard level, but Sean Bowen on board is a significant positive, and this four-year-old has shaped with consistent promise across three hurdle runs. The key detail: his sole win came here at Ffos Las on the Flat. Course form matters, and on good ground over a trip that suits his profile, he warrants favouritism. Three hurdle runs have suggested he is well enough handicapped to get competitive, and the step into handicap company should not be feared given the mark he carries.
Penn Avenue Each-Way (13/2, BetTom/BestOdds) is worth a small each-way interest. David Pipe's yard is cold (0/10 last 14 days), but this filly has placed in a couple of handicaps already and the tongue-tie goes on for the first time today. A dual Flat winner who handles these conditions, she could easily make the frame at that price in a competitive field.
3:18 — Mickey Bowen 51 Winners Novices' Hurdle (2m4f, Hurdle, 6 runners)
A small field but a clear form angle at the top of the market.
Fairye Forth (4/7, Bet365/William Hill) is the standout. An Irish point winner, he divided good horses in a course-and-distance novice hurdle just two weeks ago on good to soft ground. He comes back to a track he clearly handles, today's good ground is no concern, and with Sean Bowen in the saddle, the stable booking is strong despite Curtis's recent yard form. At 4/7 this is short enough to put you off, but the form and course familiarity make him a banker-grade selection.
Getaway Vic (9/4, Bet365) is the most interesting alternative. Mickey Bowen's own runner, ridden by James Bowen on his trainer's home patch. An Irish point winner who went 2-3 in bumpers on good ground, the absence of over a year is the query, but the stable form (4/23 last 14 days) is ticking along and the yard knows this horse better than anyone. If Fairye Forth disappoints, this is where the money goes.
Kind Intention Each-Way (12/1, Bet365) is worth a small note. Three bumper runs against smart company including Storming George and Mydaddypaddy, and this longer trip on hurdle debut suits the pedigree. Tom Symonds runners are worth watching when stepping up in trip on debut over timber. At 12/1 with two places on offer, a small each-way flier has some appeal.
4:18 — Sean Bowen Champion Jockey Handicap Chase (3m, Chase, 10 runners)
The feature race of the day and the most competitive on the card. Good ground over three miles, and there are two horses who stand out clearly from the rest.
Copshill Lad (9/2, Bet365) is the selection. Harry Derham's yard is in cracking form at 4/16 over the last 14 days, and this eight-year-old is building a solid chasing profile. He pulled clear with the runner-up at Southwell over 3m2f on good ground last time out, making it two wins from four over fences. The drop to three miles here is not a concern given his jumping efficiency, and a 4lb rise off that Southwell win looks entirely manageable. Derham in-form plus a horse who is clearly thriving: take the 9/2.
Hell Hound (2/1, Bet365/William Hill/Coral) is the market leader and deserves respect. Won cosily by three lengths at Southwell over three miles on good ground on only his second chase start. The 6lb rise is fair for a horse of his profile, and good ground today suits him well. The concern is straightforward: if the ground slides toward good to soft, he may not appreciate it. On good ground, he is a genuine rival to Copshill Lad and the 2/1 is honest pricing.
Buckna Each-Way (15/2, Bet365/William Hill) makes each-way appeal in a ten-runner handicap. The cheekpieces worked a treat at Chepstow where he finished third to The Boola Boss. He carries 5lb less than the winner today, and Warren Greatrex's yard has been ticking over at 2/14. Not a win selection, but a live place chance at 15/2 with three places on offer.
The Boola Boss (11/2, Bet365/William Hill) won that Chepstow race cosily and the 5lb rise looks fair given the manner of the victory. Rebecca Curtis's yard is cold, but Sean Bowen takes the ride and this horse's chase record of six wins from seventeen is rock solid. The price looks fair rather than generous, and Copshill Lad represents better value.
Today's NAP
Odds: 9/2 — Bet365 (others: 5/1 Coral, 5/1 Ladbrokes)
Harry Derham's yard is in the best form of any handler on this card at 4/16 in the last fortnight, and Copshill Lad is a horse whose profile is genuinely improving over fences. Two wins from four chasing starts, the most recent a commanding success at Southwell on good ground over a longer trip than today's three miles, which only flatters his stamina reserves. A 4lb rise off that win is the handicapper's nod, not a penalty, and good ground at Ffos Las plays directly to his strengths. At 9/2 against a market leader who has the weight of the market but not all the angles, this is where the value sits today.