Key quotes and analysis for Ffos Las feature as jump racing returns in Britain

Monday: 3.30 Ffos Las
Vickers.Bet Handicap Hurdle | 2m4f | 4yo+ | Sky

The market is likely to be dominated by the Dan Skelton-trained improver Rocky Man, and it's not difficult to see why.

Highly tried in Grade 1 and 2 company during his juvenile campaign, the son of Doctor Dino clearly benefited from wind surgery and a summer break when he returned in handicap company off a mark of 116 at Wetherby in October.

After travelling through most of the race like a horse with many pounds in hand of the assessor, he dug deep to resist the strong challenge of progressive Findthetime late on.

Rocky Man proved that 2m4f on soft ground at Ffos Las held no terrors for him when a highly creditable runner-up to Time Flies By off 6lb higher last month.

Time will tell if that form is strong for Class 3 level and a further 2lb rise might not stop him resuming winning ways. After all, it's highly unlikely a mark of 124 will prove the ceiling of this lightly raced five-year-old's ability.

Equinus enters handicaps off 115 on the back of three encouraging runs in a bumper, maiden hurdle and novice hurdle, all over two miles.

There is plenty of stamina in his pedigree, so expect significant improvement for this first opportunity over two and a half miles on soft ground.

No Tackle brings a similar profile into his first handicap. He is also bred to stay very well and his trainer Sam Drinkwater was in fine form prior to the freeze.

Also worth noting is Pileon, whose only previous run at Ffos Las resulted in a 20-length success.
Race analysis by Richard Birch

What they say

Sue Gardner, trainer of Emmpressive Lady
She's had a long time on the sidelines and has had a wind operation in the meantime. It will be nice just to get her back on the track.

Dan Skelton, trainer of Rocky Man
He looks to have an obvious chance. He ran well to be second over course and distance before Christmas and we've been very pleased with him at home since, There was no plan A after that but this replacement fixture came up, which fits nicely into his programme.

Jane Williams, trainer of Gladiateur Allen
He's been getting very stressed over fences of late, so we're going back over hurdles with him to change things around. It's something that we've done successfully with other horses lately. He didn't run badly at Lingfield last time when fourth but likes an uphill finish ideally, so we'll see how we go.

Kerry Lee, trainer of New Found Fame
I'm a bit annoyed that Lingfield was off on Sunday as it has made this a stronger race. He's well and the track and trip should suit him and I would say he has an each way chance.

Sam Twiston-Davies, rider of Equinus
Obviously we would have liked to have gone to Lingfield on Sunday but we double declared in case it was off. We're still learning about the horse but he should be suited to the big galloping track and has a good way of going.

Sam Drinkwater, trainer of No Tackle
We were looking forward to running him at Lingfield on Sunday as he was a course-and-distance winner there last time but we double declared in case. He's come on at home since then and should handle the ground but Ffos Las is a unique track, so we'll see. He should have a decent shout.
Reporting by David Milnes

New customer offer for mobile. Bet £10 and get £40. Credited as 4 x £10 bets. 18+. From 00:01 on 13.04.2022. £40 bonus. New customers signing up through mobile or tablet device only. Minimum £10 stake on odds of 1/2 (1.5) or greater on sportsbook. Further terms apply. (Desktop users receive bet £10 and get £30 offer). Commercial notice: This article contains affiliate links. Offers are handpicked and come from operators that our experts have first-hand experience of. Opening an account via one of these links will earn revenue for the Racing Post, which will be used to continue producing our award-winning coverage of horseracing.