15:37 Ffos las

Can a smoother round under Harry Cobden help him trouble the favourite at Ffos Las?

By Carl Wright

Solar System interests me on his return to Class 4 company, with scope to improve after just two starts over fences. A four-time hurdles winner, he has already shown enough ability to make an impact in this grade if his jumping develops with experience.

His chasing debut at Southwell in March is the performance that gives me most encouragement. He finished third behind Smurfette, beaten just over three lengths, despite an awkward landing at the fourth and finding himself outpaced as the race developed. He continued to stay on and finished seven lengths clear of the fourth. For a first attempt over fences, that was a useful starting point, with a more fluent round offering a plausible route to improvement.

He subsequently disappointed at Haydock, finishing sixth, beaten 19½ lengths, in a Class 3 handicap. That effort needs forgiving, but today’s lower grade provides a more realistic opportunity. His mark has eased to 114, compared with 116 on his chasing debut, and Harry Cobden retains the ride. I see the combination of a slightly lower rating and further chasing experience as the main reasons he can become competitive again.

The 218-day absence is a reservation, particularly against Galway Reel, who arrives with two recent wins for Olly Murphy. The favourite also has proven winning chase form on good ground and receives 10lb from Solar System, making him a substantial opponent. Galway Reel does, however, race from a chase mark 9lb higher than for his September success.

I’m looking for Cobden to establish a comfortable rhythm and keep Solar System close enough to challenge without asking him to recover too much ground late on. His Southwell effort suggests the ability is there; the question is whether he can deliver it more efficiently.

At 5/2, he gets my vote for a measured win bet, with the case resting on improvement over fences and the return to a more suitable grade.

Published selections

Solar System — Ffos Las 3:37. Advised price: 5/2. Stake: 1pt WIN. Result: pending.

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