Ffos Las Tips: Family matters …

Seven races from Ffos Las on Wednesday afternoon, taking place between 12.35 - 16.00.

Field sizes are not large, but the contests look highly competitive.

Impressive, galloping track - think Haydock, Newbury, Doncaster - and an entertaining afternoon looks assured.

14.15 - Keppage @ 4/1

A Class 3 handicap chase, and we're siding with a 9-yr-old gelding in the care of Devon maestro David Pipe.

Keppage is making a belated chase debut after achieving a degree of success in the hurdling game. He's had a number of wind operations, so his career hasn't been without its difficulties.

Before his latest op in August he'd been in terrific form in the spring, with two wins and a close-up second. They were at around this trip of just short of two-and-a-half-miles, and if he's in anything approaching similar order, especially with the potential benefit of that latest wind procedure, he's well set for a first tilt at the larger obstacles.

There's a dangerous Venetia Williams rival, Georges Saint, that's getting weight, but I'm hoping a bit of the Pipe magic can be conjured up here and though stakes should be modest it's a fascinating little heat.

14.50 - Balkardy @ 11/4

Class 3 handicap hurdle this time, over 3 miles.

Another that doesn't groan with runners but has an ultra-competitive look about it. Balkardy is an experienced and successful 6-yr-old gelding in the care of the Williams family, and goes both here at Ffos Las and on deep ground, which he's likely to face today.

He ran a fine second in a slightly lower grade here ten days ago, with the winner notching up a four-timer, so the form has a solid look to it. He stays this trip well enough and his familiarity with the surroundings, and the ground, are a big plus.

Evan Williams trains the horse I believe around 50 miles away at Llancarfan, and I hope it will prove a journey well worth making on Wednesday.

Insights - your home for Horse Racing tips