We are very excited for tomorrow’s Lycetts Raceday – especially after the abandoned meeting last week. Read more about the Declarations for tomorrows meet by Terry Redhead.
Trainer Seamus Mullins sends seven-year-old gelding Jarlath to Fakenham as he bids to land the feature on Friday’s seven-race card, the 3.20pm Tim Barclay Memorial Handicap Chase.
Jarlath finished runner-up in both of his last two starts but aims to land the big prize in the two mile five furlong chase which will prove a test in the heavy conditions.
Kevin Jones claims a useful five pounds off the back of Jarlath, second at Fontwell twice, on one occasion behind another of today’s rivals, Cody Wyoming, under Harry Bannister for Charlie Mann.
That 12-year-old won at the north Norfolk course in December while another regular Fakenham visitor, Princeton Royale, is in with a shout for Jack Andrews and trainer Neil King.
Two of the day’s top races are sponsored by Lycetts Insurance Established in North Norfolk since the early 1990s, the Lycetts Norfolk office provides farm and estate and private client insurance services, as well as animal trades insurance services.
The Lycetts Farm and Estate Insurance Brokers Novice Chase at 2.10pm sees five tackle the two-mile course headed by Nicky Henderson’s Rather Be, whose last outing resulting in him unseating jockey Jeremiah McGrath.
Positively Dylan for Welsh trainer Evan Williams, and Colin Tizzard’s Ivor’s Queen look the main threats.
There are only four in the 3.50pm Lycetts Bloodstock Insurance Brokers Novice Handicap Hurdle and Calipso Collonges will be odds on for champion jockey Richard Johnson and trainer Olly Murphy. Murphy had a four-timer at the last Fakenham meeting and Calipso Collonges won on stable debut on Saturday at Uttoxeter, so has to defy a seven-pound penalty.
It could be another great day for Murphy. He and Johnson have Hurricane Rita in the 1.40pm opener, the grey mare having won at Fakenham in January although Akula and Yasir could prove dangers.
At 2.45pm Norfolk-based jockey Fergus Gregory rides Murphy’s Whiskey in the Jar, favourite for the novice hurdle having won last time at Uttoxeter.
At 4.25pm it’s the annual William Bulwer Long Memorial Hunter Chase, favourite for which will be Foxcub under Emma Yardley while the card closes with the 4.55pm NH flat race in which five make debuts. Market leader will be Johnson’s mount Melekhov, trained by Philip Hobbs and trying to better his second-placed debut mid January at Ludlow.
Terry’s Selections: Selections: 1.40pm Hurricane Rita; 2.10pm Rather Be; 2.45pm Dashing Perk; 3.20pm Princeton Royale; 3.50pm Calipso Collonges; 4.25pm Pride of Parish; 4.55pm Melekhov.
