Ffos Las – 16th October 2021 - David Lloyd Celebrating 75 Years Handicap Hurdle (Div II)

Ffos Las – 16th October 2021 – David Lloyd Celebrating 75 Years Handicap Hurdle (Div II)

Kate ran really well and travelled like the best horse in the race again before finishing 3rd as she could not find more under pressure due to her breathing. She will win races when we get the right set of circumstances but she probably needs a strong pace from which the leaders tire and she can win on the bridle as she will never find much when she comes off it a long way out.

It was more prize money and had another visit to the winners’ enclosure for unsaddling, so whilst it was not a victory celebration. it was still a positive outcome.

I went to Ffos Las on my own and it is a long trip taking well over four hours. I got some food in owners and trainers and met some other owners from the yard in the paddock ahead of the first race. That did not go as well as we hoped with both unplaced.

Kate was in the 3.25 pm race, so after watching Malinas Island finish unplaced in the first division, I headed over to the saddling area.

Kate was saddled in the stables, so I grabbed a few photos before heading to the paddock where we met Sam Twiston-Davies.

Sam reported that there looked to be plenty of pace in the race and this might be good for us as there would be a good chance that the front runners would be tiring at the end of the race which would be perfect for us. He was soon in the saddle and off to the start.

Once the race got underway, things went perfectly with Sam sitting in rear, but Kate jumped pretty well in the main and was always travelling. Going down the back straight for the last time, she started to pick off rivals and was certainly looking to be going the best of all as they came into the home straight looking poised to pick off the leaders. She did not come under pressure until the 2nd last and if Sam had really winged that flight, there was even a chance that she could have got to the front on the run-in, but she landed a little flat-footed and Sam did not throw everything at her after that as she looked booked for 3rd and indeed finished in that position.

Back after the race, Sam confirmed what we knew really and that is that under pressure, her palate “flips” and she is struggling to get as much air as she would like.

He confirmed however that she is likely to always run well at this level and that she will win races when everything falls right for her. The pace of the race was just not as strong as anticipated and the leaders finished strongly rather than tiring.

Neil was very happy with the race and suggested that it is a real positive that Kate continues to run well and that her turn will come in terms of getting her head in front.

It was another good performance and she is certainly “knocking on the door” in terms of getting her first win.