4.30pm Ffos Las Tips & Betting Preview 25/07/2017

A field of eight go to post for this staying handicap at Ffos Las on Tuesday, where the softer conditions will make this a huge test of stamina and determination. See our betting tips and the full race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: Spice Fair is an intriguing proposition returned to the flat after a good fourth in the Imperial Cup over hurdles, but he finds himself facing a very difficult rival in AUTHORIZED TOO. He won easily at Kempton on his latest start and has only been raised four pounds, with today’s softer conditions perfect for him to show his best. The Noel Williams team is in good form at present and he looks very tough to beat if in the same form once again under Fergus Sweeney. Nabhan also won last time out, but looks vulnerable under a penalty with the step up in trip perhaps not ideal.

1 AUTHORIZED TOO – 122 rated hurdler who returned to form on the level when storming away to win a two mile handicap at Kempton earlier this month and he’s been raised four pounds as a result. That looks lenient as a return to the turf with softer conditions should see him very tough to beat, as he stays further over hurdles and should have far too much stamina and resolution for these under Fergus Sweeney.

2 NABHAN – Inconsistent five year old for Bernard Llewellyn who returned to his best when winning a handicap here over the 1m 6f distance, despite giving away weight to most of the field. That said, he looks vulnerable with a penalty for this assignment, with an extra two furlongs likely to stretch his stamina with the ground how it is currently. Timmy Murphy takes the ride but he looks booked for a place.

3 SPICE FAIR – On a losing run that goes back to December 2015 (both codes), but he was running well over hurdles when last seen at a good level and cannot be discounted. He was last seen in the Imperial Cup at Sandown, only beaten around four lengths and he returns to the flat off a mark of 76, which looks more than fair. The softer conditions will see him in his element and with Liam Keniry taking the ride, he looks a strong challenger.

4 NORAB – Very mixed campaign over hurdles for Bernard Llewellyn, winning once but also putting in some disappointing efforts including his latest flop at Worcester. He returns to the flat off a mark of 76, which is two pounds higher than his placed run at Chepstow in July 2016. Softer conditions look far from ideal and although he’s more than capable on a going day, it’s not hard to oppose him in this field.

5 SPORTY YANKEE – Won a maiden hurdle for the Maritn Keighley yard back in December, but he’s been largely disappointing since and needs more returned to this discipline. He remains on the same mark as when second at Redcar in October, but he was beaten three lengths and others look bettered treated on balance. He is an each way contender as he will stay and handle conditions, but he looks vulnerable for win purposes.

6 LADY MAKFI – Four all weather wins last year for Johnny Farrelly but she is zero from seven on the turf and has been soundly beaten on all her starts since September. She was last seen at Wolverhampton when looking one paced at the two mile trip and these softer conditions are unlikely to help her. Shane Kelly is going through a tough spell at present and she looks booked for a struggle with the handicapper in charge.

7 DIRE STRAITS – Missed all of 2016 and this six year old son of Teofilo showed very little encouragement on his return at Kempton when last seen in May. He finished last after staying in the rear throughout and he now has another 55 day absence to overcome with the softer ground far from ideal. Fran Berry takes the ride but he’s best watched for now as he clearly has his problems.

8 ENTIHAA – Very hard horse to catch right, throwing in the odd good effort from time to time and more is needed as he returns to his less favoured surface. He ran his best race for some time when third to Grumeti at Wolverhampton in March, but he has been poor in three subsequent runs and he’s rated ten pounds lower on the turf. Softer ground doesn’t look ideal when looking at his previous form and he is likely to be found wanting.