Newland hoping Bob Ford is on one of his going days in West Wales National

4.35 Ffos Las
Siddell Environmental Services West Wales National Handicap Chase (Class 3) | 3m4f | 5yo+ | ATR

There is heavy and there is Ffos Las heavy. The ground at the Carmarthenshire track has caused more than a few card-carrying mudlarks to flounder in its fairly short existence, so the West Wales National over all but three and a half miles poses a unique test to even the most experienced marathon runners.

One of this year's 12 runners has been there before. Prior to being picked up by Alistair Ralph and, shortly after, Richard Newland this season, Bob Ford earned a reputation in his time with Rebecca Curtis as something of a course specialist and he won this race back in 2015, when it was staged in late-January.

He is just 1lb higher than for that 30-length success and, while he's 11 now, has shaped as though retaining the vast majority of that ability this season, landing a gamble at Chepstow and then looking the biggest threat to Wild West Wind prior to falling there in December.

Bob Ford and Paul Townend head for victory in the 2015 West Wales NationalCredit: Steve Davies

Newland said on Saturday: "We know conditions will suit him given he's won the race before. We've put blinkers on him because we tried doing things a bit differently at Uttoxeter [in the Midlands National], holding him up, but it didn't work and he didn't really enjoy it."

He added: "He's capable but he has a bit to prove after that and he's never been all that consistent. This is the right race for him and I'd have thought we'll go back to racing him prominently, getting him in the race and hopefully it'll be one of his going days. If it is he must have a chance."

This would not be so competitive a race as the Midlands National, but plenty can have a case made for them. Perhaps chief among them are Jennys Surprise, a winner over 3m here last time, and Shotgun Paddy, who is well treated and came close to capitalising at Exeter last time.

There is also Pobbles Bay, who was seemingly targeted at the Welsh National, shaping quite well, before faring a bit better than last place suggests at Exeter last time.

Nearer the bottom of the weights, Misty Mai and Cailleach Annie have had good winters for smaller yards and Cailleach Annie, in particular, is likely to be a challenger for the early lead.

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