2:36 Ffos Las
This Class 3 handicap hurdle at Ffos Las over 2m7f191y on good to soft ground brings together eight runners, several of whom hold strong course or trip credentials. KTB's Fit ratings identify a compact top end with Libre de Choeur heading the numbers on 66, followed closely by Idefix de Ciergues (61), Kilwaughter (60) and Shallow River (56), suggesting a race where proven ability at the track and trip will be key. The selection, Libre de Choeur, stands out as lightly raced with a course win already to his name, while several others bring placed course form or recent wins but must overcome patchy recent efforts or rising weights.
How the race shapes up
The pace shape is genuinely run with high confidence, featuring a front-runner likely to be pressed by several handy types. Idefix de Ciergues is expected to make the running or race prominently, with Kilwaughter, Moonset, El Gavilan and One Eye On Vegas all inclined to race handily or close to the pace. Libre de Choeur and Saint Palais should settle in midfield, while Shallow River is held up for a late effort. The key question is whether the prominent group can maintain their gallop in a fair test or if the race will be won from off the pace.
The KTB Fit ranking
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1Libre de Choeur KTB Selection66/100
Libre de Choeur is a smart performer who has already won over this trip and at this track from just two attempts here. The yard's 21% strike rate at Ffos Las is above their overall figure and the 3lb claimer Ned Fox has a solid 19% record at the course. Lightly raced with only seven career starts, he steps up in class now but remains open to further improvement. He typically settles in midfield. His placed record on good to soft includes two from four starts though he has yet to win on the surface. Half-brother to La Limagne (1 win from 21 runs), the dam has had 3 other runners, 1 of them a winner.
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2Idefix de Ciergues61/100
Idefix de Ciergues is a smart performer who has placed on all three starts at this track without winning. He comes off a poor seventh last time but has solid placed form on good to soft and a proven record at today's trip. The trainer Rebecca Curtis holds a 21% strike rate at Ffos Las, above their general mark, while jockey Sean Bowen matches his usual level with a 21% record at the track. He tends to make the running or race on the pace. He has two wins from ten starts on good to soft with five placed efforts. His three course visits read fourth, fourth and third.
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3Kilwaughter60/100
Kilwaughter is a high-class performer with a solid recent record that includes two wins from his last five starts. He has won once and placed twice from three runs on good to soft ground and now drops back in trip as a fresh question. The yard's 15% strike rate at Ffos Las is in line with their record elsewhere while the 7 lb claimer Jack Stenhouse has only one ride at the track so far. He usually races handily, on or close to the lead. He has no course form on record.
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4Shallow River56/100
Shallow River is a high-class performer on his best days yet has been patchy of late with a string of mid-field finishes. He has shown ability on good to soft ground and the trip is familiar even if it has not brought a win. Trainer Dave Roberts and jockey Lee Edwards both operate at an 8-9% strike rate here at Ffos Las which is in line with their records elsewhere. He is usually held up and produces his effort late. His recent form has been modest.
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5Saint Palais50/100
Saint Palais is a smart performer who has shown up well around this track, finishing second on his latest visit here. He has won three times at today's trip and holds a respectable record on good to soft ground. The yard's 9% strike rate at Ffos Las is in line with their record elsewhere, while the jockey has no recorded rides at the course.
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6Moonset49/100
Moonset is a smart performer who arrives on the back of a win and a pulled-up effort. He has shown ability on good to soft ground and holds solid course connections through his trainer. The trip looks an open question after just one run at this distance.
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7El Gavilan47/100
El Gavilan is a smart performer who has won three of five starts at this track and arrives off an official rating of 111. He brings strong recent form including three wins from his last five runs but was pulled up on his most recent outing. The step up in trip is an unknown while the jockey has yet to record a win from ten rides at the course.
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8One Eye On Vegas38/100
One Eye On Vegas is a smart performer who arrives off the back of two solid placed efforts last season. He has never won or placed on good to soft ground in three attempts and steps up in trip today for the first time. Trainer Stuart Edmunds is 0 from 7 at Ffos Las while the jockey's 6 percent strike rate here sits in line with his overall record.
KTB verdict
Libre de Choeur looks the one to beat. He has already shown his liking for this track and trip with a win from just two starts here, remains relatively lightly raced, and is backed by a yard in strong form at Ffos Las plus a capable claimer in the saddle. His ability to settle in midfield should suit the expected genuine pace. The main dangers are Idefix de Ciergues, who has placed every time at the course and brings proven stamina, and Kilwaughter, a high-class sort dropping in class with a good record on the ground. Shallow River cannot be entirely dismissed on his best days despite recent inconsistency.
KTB Selection Libre de Choeur
This is the narrative read of the 2:36 Ffos Las. For the live card — runner-by-runner stats, the full Fit Score breakdown and current odds — see the Ffos Las racecard. Every result we hold for the track is on the Ffos Las results & records page. How favourites, trainers, jockeys and the draw have fared here over the last five years is on the Ffos Las racecourse statistics page. New here? How KTB works explains the Fit Score and why we publish both.
Questions about this race
Which horse has already won over the course and distance?
Libre de Choeur has won over this trip and at this track from just two attempts here.
Who is most likely to set the pace?
Idefix de Ciergues tends to make the running or race on the pace in a genuinely run race.
Which runner is stepping up in class from an OR of 111?
Both El Gavilan and One Eye On Vegas are stepping up in class from an OR of 111.
How many wins has El Gavilan recorded at Ffos Las?
El Gavilan has won three of five starts at this track.
Which horse has the strongest trainer strike rate at the course among the principals?
Idefix de Ciergues, with trainer Rebecca Curtis holding a 21% strike rate at Ffos Las from 499 runs.
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