8th May 2018

The Snellings NorfolkNational

The Snellings Norfolk National | DECLARATIONS

It’s lucky for racing fans that 13 have stood their ground for the £32,000 Snellings Norfolk National, the feature of a six-race card at Fakenham today (Tuesday).

With almost £20,000 on offer to the winner of the three and a half miles plus contest, the race is competitive although likely favourite is hat-trick seeking Hedgeinator for trainer Christian Williams and teenage three-pound claimer, James Bowen.

The eight-year-old gelding won at Sedgefield and Ludlow earlier this year and has since been given a 116-day break since.

However, there are plenty with chances, including Carlisle winner Grove Silver, a grey gelding under Sean Quinlan for trainer Jenny Candish and Cap Horner, a Taunton winner representing Seamus Mullins.

In-form trainer Dan Skelton, who had a four-timer at Uttoxter on Saturday, has David England on Set List, fifth in hurdle action at Ayr last time while Tom O’Brien rides Paul Henderson’s Talk of the South, pulled up at Haydock after two previous decent efforts.

The main event is at 3.45pm but the meeting starts at 2.10pm with the Snellings Conditional Jockeys’ Selling Hurdle which features Ascendant, under Patrick Cowley for trainer Johnny Farrelly. The 12-year-old has been a model of consistency, winning five times this season, including twice at Fakenham.

Nine contest the 2.40pm Jarrold Fakenham Ladies Day  Chase with Hedgeinator’s trainer Williams running Caviar D’Allen, fifth last time.

Gary Moore has son Jamie on King Cool, a Plumpton runner-up while Millen Dollar Man under Richie McLernon for Alex Dunn, will be looking to go one better than recent seconds at Exeter and Plumpton.

The 3.10pm Snellings Maiden Hurdle features seven with Harry Teal claiming a useful seven pounds off the Neil King trained Chimes of Dylan, a Fontwell runner-up. Lucy Wadham has Jack Sherwood aboard Potters Hedger while another with a chance is Don Des Fosses under Harry Bannister for Warren Greatrex.

Half a dozen go in the 4.15pm Mares’ Handicap Hurdle, headed by Wadham and Sherwood with Potters Midnight, a Fakenham winner in March, although Amy Murphy will be hopeful of Mariah’s Legend, third at Cheltenham under Jack Quinlan.

The finale at 4.45pm has nine hunter chasers bidding for the Turner Trophy, headed by last year’s winner, Master Workman under Dale Peters for Thetford-based David Kemp. Gina Andrews on her father Simon’s Can Mestret and Charles Clover on One Fine Morning are key rivals.


Selections: 2.10pm Ascendant; 2.40pm Millen Dollar Man; 3.10pm Chimes of Dylan; 3.45pm Hedgeinator; 4.15pm Potters Midnight; 4.45pm One Fine Morning.


NON RUNNERS: 2.40pm How About it; 2.40pm Postbridge; 3.10pm Flynnvincincible.

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David Hunter