Champion jockey Richard Johnson, who on Sunday notched up yet another century of winners in a season, looks to have a chance of adding to his tally at Fakenham’s third meeting of the season this afternoon (Tuesday).
Victory at Leicester yesterday took Johnson’s total to 101 winners for the current campaign.
There are only 29 horses engaged for the six-race card which starts at 12.50pm when Johnson rides the Olly Murphy trained Cliffside Park. The eight-year-old was a Fakenham victor in October and is only two pounds higher for the selling hurdle. {UPDATE: Cliffside Park is now a Non-Runner}
Main rival is Fakenham regular Occasionally Yours under Tabitha Worsley for Alan Blackmore, the 13-year-old gelding making it nine career wins in 78 starts when scoring at Huntingdon recently.
Johnson’s other top chance is in the 2.50pm handicap hurdle when he rides Saucysioux, a seven-year-old mare trained by Murphy who was runner-up at Cartmel last time.
The booking of Johnson catches the eye although there could be a threat in the shape of Broadway Belle under Brian Hughes for Chris Grant, the consistent mare down in class since her last run.
Only four take their chance in the feature, the 2.20pm Weatherbys Racing Bank Beginners’ Chase over three miles and worth almost £8,000.
Favourite is Paul Nicholls’ Red Hanrahan under Harry Cobden, the gelding fifth at Newton Abbott. The likely leading rival is Trevor Whelan’s ride, the Neil King trained Holbrook Park, second at Plumpton when last seen in March, over a shorter distance.
Another three-mile chase sees Maid of Milan likely odds-on for the 1.20pm Mares’ Chase, the Charlie Mann trained six-year-old third at Uttoxeter recently. Rising star James Bowen takes the mount and looks to have most to fear from Armedandbeautiful for trainer Tom Gretton.
Trainer Nicky Henderson will be expecting Bardd to take the 1.50pm Amateur Riders’ Novice Hurdle, now down in trip since finishing fourth at Ascot. Main danger is Ali Stirling on the Fergal O’Brien trained Chilli Romance, a recent Ludlow fifth.
The finale is the 3.20pm two-mile chase which looks between Movie Legend and Bach De Clermont. The former was third at Kempton in October and goes under Leighton Aspell for regular Fakenham scorer, trainer Lucy Wadham. Bach De Clermont was fourth last time for Adam Wedge and Welsh trainer Evan Williams.
Words by Terry Redhead.
UPDATE
Today’s Non-Runners:
12.50pm Nautical Nitwit, trainer Philip Kirby / Cliffside Park. Olly Murphy
2.20pm Kingston Mimosa, Mark Gillard
3.20pm Chesnut Ben, Peter Winks
