Hourigan sends out winner at Ffos Las Michael Hourigan struck at the opening of Ffos Las racecourse in Wales when Turf War landed the Castell Howell Novices' Hurdle. The Gigginstown Stud charge travelled nicely for Adrian Heskin, with the 15-8 favourite stretching clear after the final flight to beat Cootehill by two and a half lengths. Heskin said: "It's a lovely track to ride on and suits every horse. "It's a big galloping track and there will be no hard-luck stories round here. "That's my fifth winner, and it's great to have a winner on a big day for Ffos Las." Hourigan also had a hand in the opening race winner with former inmate Plunkett making history by becoming the first ever winner at the track. Nestled into the hillside between the towns of Llanelli and Carmarthen, a sell-out crowd of 10,000 were in attendance to witness the opening of Britain's first turf racecourse in 80 years. Established on the site of a former open-cast coal mine, the ambitious project is the brainchild of local businessman Dai Walters. Walters is also an racehorse owner, and looked to have a standout chance of winning the opening freebets.co.uk "National Hunt" Novices' Hurdle with the appropriately-named Ffos Las Diamond. Nicky Henderson's five-year-old could, however, only finish fifth behind Plunkett (15-8), who travelled powerfully throughout under Donal Fahy. After cruising to the front early in the straight, the young rider only had to keep his mount up to his work to come home seven lengths clear of Older And Wiser. Successful trainer Evan Williams, who is based at Llancarfan, said: "It's very, very quick and is drying very quickly. "It will be a superb track in the middle of the winter. "We got this horse off Michael Hourigan and all credit must go to him as he said he was the type of horse we could do well with in the summer."
