Ffos Las and Wolverhampton previews: Copper Birch looks pure gold

The Pond House handler has saddled eight winners from his last 20 runners, and in Pilgrims Bay has a gelding with a progressive profile who comes into the contest at the top of his game.

Since making a winning handicap debut at Wincanton in January, the six-year-old has posted solid efforts to finish in the frame on his next three starts.

They include a fine 2 3/4 length second to San Telm last time out over 2m 6f at Market Rasen, where Pilgrims Bay looked all over the winner until being unable to find any extra close home.

The drop back to 2m 4f looks sure to suit judged on that effort, and although now 3lb higher in the weights the son of Turtle Island looks the type who may have even more to offer.

Pilgrims Bay will also have no problem with the heavy ground, and with Connor O’Farrell in the saddle this looks a nice opportunity for him to return to winning ways.

Selections

14.20: Ballypoint
14.50: Obistar
15.25: Copper Birch (NAP)
15.55: Pilgrims Bay (NB)
16.30: Coeur De Fou
17.00: Geordie Des Champs

Chauvelin weighted to strike at Wolverhampton

Chauvelin looks decent value to cash-in on a huge drop in the weights and score and overdue success in the 1m 4f handicap on today’s card at Wolverhampton (17.10).

The gelding has just one success to his name, and that came at Lingfield in January 2015 off a mark of 66 when trained by Roger Charlton.

Chauvelin went on to finish a cracking 3/4 lengths runner-up at Salisbury off 68, but has failed to trouble the judge in six starts since joining Richard Guest.

However, that had resulted in the handicapper cutting the son of Sir Percy plenty of slack and he is now able to race in this off just 53.

That is a career-low and gives Chauvelin major claims at the weights on the pick of his form.

Chauvelin also comes into the contest on the back of an eye-catching effort when a not knocked about sixth of 10 over 1m 6f at this venue on his second start back from a break.

That should have put the five-year-old spot on, and the drop back down to 1m 4f is sure to suit.

Surround Sound ready to call the tune

In the other 1m 4f handicap on the card (16.40), Surround Sound can defy top weight to land the spoils.

The Tim Easteby trained gelding scooted up by 4 1/2 lengths over course and distance last May off a mark of 50 before going to finish a fine 3/4 length at the venue off 60.

Surround Sound then got back to winning ways at Musselburgh when scoring off 62, and was then beaten just a nose at Catterick off 65.

The six-year-old is now able to race off 60, and that should enable him to be very competitive in what looks a weak contest.

Surround Sound also drops back down into class 6 company having shaped better than the bare result suggests last time out over course and distance when seventh of 10 to Tangramm in a class 5 affair.

That was was the son of Multiplex’s second run back after a break, and Surround Sound should now fully tuned-up and ready to be seen to best effect.

Selections

14.00: Salvado
14.30: Mount Cheiron
15.00: Bayan Kasriga
15.35: Lapilli
16.05: Aguerooo
16.40: Surround Sound (NB)
17.10: Chauvelin (NAP)
17.40: Boonga Roogeta

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