Paul Moon / 27 January 2010 Free Bet

"Since its opening last June attendances have been very encouraging, averaging over 7,000 for the scheduled fixtures throughout the summer and autumn. After just ten fixtures Ffos Las Racecourse has welcomed over 50,000 visitors, figures most courses would die for."

Ffos Las, the newest racetrack in Great Britain is developing into something very special. The first new all-purpose turf track in Britain for 81 years has received rave reviews from all quarters with no dissenting voices. The superb grass surface will become even more verdant as the racecourse matures in the coming years. Its future is assured.

There is a huge interest in racing in West Wales and it is a truly equine area with pending Irish involvement helping to sustain the success. The close proximity of the Pembroke and Fishguard ports will guarantee their continued interest and once the Cork to Swansea ferry is up and running this will open up the west of Ireland too.

Since its opening last June attendances have been very encouraging, averaging over 7,000 for the scheduled fixtures throughout the summer and autumn. After just ten fixtures Ffos Las Racecourse has welcomed over 50,000 visitors, figures most courses would die for. The huge August attendance (11,000) was easily managed and 15,000 would not be a problem. Expansion is both possible and probable though there are no development plans at present.

But Ffos Las has no intention of resting on its laurels. At the next fixture the Llanelli Scarlets rugby squad will be meeting fans, signing autographs and putting on a skills session for youngsters. This type of initiative is just what Racing For Change needs to attract new racegoers.

The course was give a royal seal of approval at the last meeting when The Queen's first runner at the track Gold Award was victorious in the Totesuper7 Handicap Hurdle for the trainer-jockey combination of Nicky Henderson and Barry Geraghty.

There are 28 meetings in total in place for 2010 (13 Flat and 15 jumps) making it one of the busiest in the country. The fact they have been assigned so many meetings so early in its development speaks volumes! Annual membership is currently over 1,000 and a significant increase is expected next year.

The quality of the racing has started exceptionally well but is set to improve further. Ffos Las staged a £50,000 3m 1f handicap chase on the official opening day but in less than six months it pulled off a major coup! The £50,000 Welsh Champion Hurdle (previously run at Chepstow but not since 2002) had been revived and would have taken place on Saturday 9 January 2010 along with the rescheduled Sandown Grade 1 Tolworth Hurdle but for the severe weather at that time.

The involvement of the Irish and Welsh trainers at the course is of primary importance. In 48 National Hunt races to date the English have won 27 with almost half of them being trained by Jonjo O'Neill (7) and Paul Hobbs (4). The Welsh have trained 14 winners and the Irish seven (five from seven at the August meeting). Not surprisingly AP McCoy has ridden 13 winners, including four trebles on five visits to the course. Next best is Richard Johnson with six winners. Seven-pound claimer Peter Toole has ridden two winners (prices at 18/1 and 25/1).

The absolute fairness of the track indicates that horses can lead from the front or come off the pace to win in both flat and jump. No track bias has yet been detected. The bends ride well and are very safe and after the recent bad weather it was marvellous to see the track drain then ride so well at the last meeting, further proof of the fabulous nature of the track!

The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday 28 January 2010 where Jonjo O'Neill and Tony McCoy take on Nicky Henderson and Barry Geraghty for honours but the two rides McCoy has for Miss Rebecca Curtis catches the eye in Praxiteles (13:55) and Black Jack Blues (14:30)!