‘Crazy’ mare Hello Sweety returned to Fakenham and won for trainer Stuart Edmunds and jockey Charlie Hammond just as she had in December.
“She’s the craziest horse. She goes off like a shot. It’s a most exhilarating experience to ride her but at the same time it’s scary and crazy,” said Hammond, after the 6/5 favourite streaked home by 28 lengths in the Racing TV Mares’ Handicap Hurdle.
“It’s a bit like having a heart attack watching her run. She is bonkers,” added Edmunds.
Edmunds was hopeful Bluegrass could complete a double in the feature Fakenham Silver Cup Handicap Hurdle. But it wasn’t to be. Morning Mayhem, returning after winning at the last Fakenham meeting, repeated the feat, getting up under Caoilin Quinn for trainer Nick Scholfield at 11/4.
Secret Vino followed up victory at Catterick three weeks ago by taking the Walter Wales Cup under Jack Andrews for brother-in-law trainer Tom Ellis.
The six-year-old gelding went off 5/4 favourite and Andrews kept close tabs as Milan Milos and Painted Wolf disputed the early stages. Andrews finally put Secret Vino in front at the final flight and held off a challenge on the inside from Painted Wolf, to score by half a length in the finish of the day.
The Lucy Wadham trained Brother Boris made every yard to win at Fakenham’s last meeting and repeated the feat in the opener, easily beating two rivals to win the Prince Carlton Cup.
Sent off 8/11 favourite under Cian Murphy, Brother Boris never saw either his two rivals. Despite slowing to walking pace crossing the line, he finished 21 lengths clear of Uncle Al.
Mister Ursis, a multiple flat winner in France, won the Robert Case Memorial Maiden Hurdle under Kevin Brogan for trainer Olly Murphy. The 10/11 favourite was always in the driving seat and never looked like being caught, winning by 15 lengths, in a race completed by only three of the five starters.
Jockey Brogan must have fancied his chances of doubling up in the following Hyde, Denny, Cunningham 70th Birthday Mares’ Chase on previous Fakenham winner Belle Montrose. When favourite Jamaicaine faded, Belle Montrose looked a likely winner.
However, she could not reel in all-the-way leader Gotthereintheend, who scored by four lengths on chasing debut, at 3/1 for jockey Liam Harrison and trainer Robbie Llewellyn.
The closing Pointing Pointers Queen’s Cup Hunters’ Chase provided an extraordinary finish. Coolagh Park fell, Bowtogreatness pulled up and last year’s winner Janika unseated his rider two out. That left Charlie Marshall on Go On Chez, who was so tired that he crawled to the final fence, clambered over and walked over the line to finish alone at 7/2.
