Coastguard Station, under a terrific ride by David Noonan, landed the feature race when Fakenham staged its ‘Aintree/Fakenham Special’ additional meeting on Friday.
The Henry Oliver trained eight-year-old gelding was runner-up at Ascot three weeks earlier and after tracking the leaders in the Special Racing TV Offer Chase, took it up after the final fence to win at 7/2.
“He benefited from a truly run race and enjoyed having horses in front to aim at,” said Noonan who restrained the winner while El Muchacho and Aviles battled up front.
“He’s a good horse and it was a deserved success after his effort at Ascot,” added Noonan.
The Wise Traveller, off the course since winning at Huntingdon in November, took the honours in the Horsepwr.co.uk For Welfare Facts and Information Hurdle under conditional jockey Jamie Gambin for trainer Sarah Humphrey.
Game Socks led the field of six for most of the three-mile contest but The Wise Traveller took it up and held off the challenge of favourite Chatty Chich to win at 11/1.
There were no bids to buy Ingennio when the gelding won at Fakenham on Easter Monday. Some may regret not bidding as the six-year-old, trained by Richard Hobson and ridden by Gavin Sheehan, won the Huge Savings At Racing TV Chase.
Sheehan held Ingennio off the pace and delivered him to jump the last with leader Jacks Touch before going on to score by two lengths, returned at 5/2.
Favourite backers had a great start when 8/11 chance Yalla Hababi landed the Racing TV Just £12 Per Month Maiden Hurdle by eight lengths.
Having a first run for trainer Harriet Dickin, the gelding, unlucky not to win last time at Hereford, made amends with a comfortable success under conditional jockey Bradley Harris, beating market rival Diamond Koda. It was Dickin’s first winner at Fakenham.
Dr Richard Newland, now training with Jamie Insole, has a sound record at Fakenham and his Tip Top Tonto, under Charlie Hammond, was the 7/1 winner of the Racing TV Novice Handicap Hurdle by seven lengths.
The lead changed hands several times, but it was left to the eight-year-old gelding to hold off a late challenge from Clararose to win for the first time in his 16th attempt.
The closing bumper (National Hunt flat race) was easily won by Bond Broker under Angus Cheleda for champion trainer Paul Nicholls, the winner returned the 5/6 favourite.
Terry Redhead.