Tag Archives: Declarations

Gold-Star Henderson Out To Plunder Fakenham’s Silver Cup

Trainer Nicky Henderson has been among the Cheltenham Festival winners all week and tomorrow looks to add to his tally as well as landing the £20,000 feature on Fakenham’s six-race card.

 

Spectators will be able to watch the Cheltenham action, including the Gold Cup, on screens at the north Norfolk course which is staging its newly-branded Country Food Trust Raceday.

 

That means racegoers will also be able to see a gun dog display before racing and learn more about the Country Food Trust which is a charity that enables shot game birds (pheasant and partridge) to be processed into a curry or stew and distributed and given free to food banks and charities that help feed the homeless and those in food poverty. 

 

The CFT Fakenham Silver Cup Handicap Hurdle at 4.35pm has attracted 13 runners and Henderson has the market leader in four-year-old Sea The Stars gelding Homer. Homer, for whom James Bowen is booked to ride, won at Kempton early in February and can take his chance off a handy mark before he is due to rise nine pounds in the ratings in the near future.

 

Main rivals in the competitive looking two-miler are Ashutor and Movie Legend. The former, a grey gelding trained by Paul Nicholls, is up five pounds after a Catterick victory and has Katie O’Farrell in the saddle.

 

Movie Legend, a 10-year-old from Lucy Wadham’s Newmarket base, won at the course in October 2018 and is seven pounds better off than his last run, a fourth placing at Doncaster.

 

The action starts at 1.55pm with five in the claiming hurdle which looks between Coole Well from Jamie Snowden’s yard and Olly Murphy’s Swaffham Bulbeck, a Fakenham winner at the same meeting last year. 

 

Before Bowen’s ride on Homer, he partners top weight Echiquer for Nigel Twiston-Davies in the Prince Carlton Chase at 2.35pm, the main threat being Harry Fry’s Onefortheroadtom.

 

The Robert Case Memorial Maiden at 3.15pm has an interesting hurdling debutant in Medalla De Oro under James Neild for Harry Whittington while 10 go in the 3.55pm Walter Wales Memorial Hurdle, favourite for which is Starsky for O’Farrell and Nicholls.

 

The 5.10pm finale, the five-runner Robert Hoare Memorial Hunter Chase, could go to Full Irish for Jack Andrews and trainer David Phelan.

 

Words by Terry Redhead.


 

Selections: 1.55pm Swaffham Bulbeck, 2.35pm Echiquer, 3.15pm Medalla De Oro, 3.55pm Josie Abbing, 4.35pm Homer, 5.10pm Full Irish.

 




Fakenham Greene King 2020

Top Trainer Henderson Sets Sights On A Valentine’s Treble

Five-times champion National Hunt trainer Nicky Henderson has hot favourites for three of the seven races on Friday’s racecard. Already boasting a hot strike rate at the north Norfolk course, Henderson is hoping to boost his tally with a treble at Valentine’s Day meeting.

 

Although just three go in the 2.10pm novice chase, it is an enthralling contest with Henderson running Champagne Mystery, a six-year-old gelding on the same mark as when finishing runner-up at Haydock in December. Previously the horse won at Aintree in November.

 

The main rival is current champion trainer Paul Nicholls’ Greaneteen, another six-year-old gelding on whom Bryony Frost will be bidding for a hat-trick following victories at Musselburgh this month and at Ascot in December.

 

Peterborough-based trainer Pam Sly completes the line-up with Kielan Woods on Eskendash, a runner-up at the last Fakenham meeting over the same two-mile distance.

 

Henderson’s Fix Sun will be a warm order in the 2.45pm novice hurdle as he tries to complete a hat-trick, the gelding having won at Market Rasen in January after a debut success at Sedgefield.

 

Chief rival is the John Ryan trained Book of Invasions, under Paddy Brennan, the gelding a Huntingdon winner in November.

 

Henderson’s other top chance comes in the 4.50pm flat race finale with Scarpia, a six-year-old gelding runner-up on debut at Warwick in December.

 

He faces eight rivals, six of them making their debuts, including the Olly Murphy trained and Fergus Gregory ridden African Dance.

 

The Gregory and Murphy team have the favourite in the 3.50pm novice handicap hurdle with Dundrum Wood, a Market Rasen scorer on his first run after wind surgery.

 

Also interesting is Premier D’Troice under Brodie Hampson for Archie Watson. The gelding makes his stable debut on his first run since leaving Irish trainer Sean Doyle for whom he scored at Punchestown.

 

The feature race is the £16,000 3.20pm Tim Barclay Memorial Chase, a favourite for which is the Nigel Twiston-Davies trained Rizzardo under Jordan Nailor. The grey gelding won last time out at Huntingdon.

 

Carlisle winner Pookie Petan and the Alan King trained Doncaster runner-up Senior Citizen are key rivals.

 

Biggest field sees 10 go in the 1.40pm selling hurdle, market leader being Paul Henderson’s Ted Bach, third at Uttoxeter in December while the other race on the card is the 4.20pm William Bulwer-Long Memorial Hunter Chase which should go to Shantou Flyer, a winner of seven of his 29 career chases.

 


 

Terry Redhead’s Selections: 1.40pm By Rail, 2.10pm Greaneteen, 2.45pm Fix Sun, 3.20pm Senior Citizen, 3.50pm Dundrum Wood, 4.20pm Shantou Flyer, 4.50pm Scarpia.

 

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Natonal Hunt - Jump Horse Racing at Fakenham Racecourse, Norfolk

Williams Leads the Pack Chasing Fakenham’s £15k Feature

A competitive field of nine runners will line-up for the £15,000 feature at this tomorrow’s seven-race card at Fakenham.

 

The 2.35 pm Horsemen’s Group Handicap Chase over more than two-and-a-half-miles is worth more than £8,000 to the winner and it is possible to make a case for all those declared.

 

Venetia Williams’ horses are always worth noting in soft conditions and she has Charlie Deutsch in the saddle on Eceparti, a six-year-old gelding third at Chepstow just after Christmas, following November wins at Wetherby and Chepstow.

 

Cougar’s Gold, under Sean Bowen for his dad, Welsh trainer Peter, was a runner-up at Uttoxeter in December while Thomas Todd, trained by Laura Morgan with Ryan Day in the saddle, is a previous Fakenham winner.

 

Jockey Jack Tudor recently hit the headlines with victory in the Welsh Grand National and he partners Richard Hobson’s Eureu Du Boulay, a Fontwell winner who was fifth last time at Leicester.

 

The meeting starts with a chase at 12.25 pm, with two last time winners looking to land the spoils in Fergal O’Brien’s Blue Monday and Mark Gillard’s Touch Screen.

 

The former, under Paddy Brennan, scored at Hereford last month while Fergus Gillard claims seven pounds on Touch Screen, who dead-heated at Lingfield this month. Key rival looks like the Olly Murphy trained Robin De Broome, third at Southwell in December on his first run after a break.

 

The other chase, at 1.25 pm, sees four novices line-up with Newmarket trainer Lucy Wadham’s Little Light, under Maxime Tissier, a recent Leicester winner on her first run following a wind operation, and Gary Moore’s The Flying Sofa, third at Ascot and now dropping in class, as the major players.

 

Conditional jockeys get their chance in the three-mile handicap hurdle at 12.55 pm when former course winner Stonebrigg Legend goes for trainer Sarah Humphrey and rider Alexander Thorne, the mare facing seven opponents.

 

Another field of eight line-up at 2 pm for the maiden novice hurdle with Nicky Henderson running Grand Roi under Nico De Boinville. Bought in France from Laurent Viel in October, the four-year-old makes a hurdling debut after winning a NH flat race at Wincanton in December.

 

Seven mares tackle a two-mile hurdle race at 3.10 pm in another ultra-competitive heat. Wadham has Tissier in the saddle on Miss Heritage, a course and distance winner in December while Leighton Aspell rides the Nick Gifford trained Mystic Dreamer, runner-up at Fontwell last time.

 

Always worth noting at Fakenham are horses trained by Stuart Edmunds and he has Markada under Ciaran Gethings, a former Warwick winner.

 

The same partnership has Young Offender in the finale at 3.45 pm, the gelding a Fakenham winner over a shorter trip in December. The main threat is Murphy’s Oscar Academy, a recent Leicester winner on a first run following along absence.

 


Terry’s Selections: 12.25 pm Blue Monday, 12.55 pm Stonebrigg Legend, 1.25 pm The Flying Sofa, 2 pm Grand Roi, 2.35 pm Eceparti, 3.10 pm Maskada, 3.45 pm Young Offender.

Greene King Raceday Declarations by Terry Redhead. Fakenham Racecourse

Top trainer Henderson bids to top and tail Fakenham’s Greene King raceday

Leading trainer Nicky Henderson and jockey Nico de Boinville bid to book-end this afternoon’s seven-race card at Fakenham.

In the 1.10pm opener on Greene King race day, Henderson and de Boinville hold a favourite’s chance with Falco Blitz, a gelding second in two of his four hurdle contests. Last time he was runner-up at Newton Abbott, despite going off 4/7 favourite, beaten by a rival who has won again since. Main rival is High Change, a winner on hurdles debut for trainer Charlie Hills at Ffos Las.

In the 4.10pm finale, Henderson and De Boinville have debutant Hijack, a four-year-old tipped to make a good start in the National Hunt flat race.

 

Another debutant, Ever So Cool, under Harry Skelton for brother Dan, is fancied while one with experience is Largy Mouth, having the first run for Brian Ellison, having scored on debut at Ayr.

The £14,000 feature is the 2.40pm Greene King Novice Chase for which five go, headed by Nube Negra for the Skeltons. The five-year-old won at Warwick this month and faces four rivals, including Ar Mest and Fleur Irlandaise.

Ar Mest, under Josh Moore for father Gary, makes a chase debut while Fleur Irlandaise makes her debut for Nick Littmoden. Jack Quinlan rides the filly who won at Dieppe in August when trained by Yannick Fouin.

 

Greene King also sponsors two hurdle races. The 1.40pm could go to Brambledown who looks to go one better than his last two runs. The Gary Moore gelding was runner-up at Ludlow after having been beaten into the second spot at Plumpton. Musical Stardust, under Kielan Woods for Alex Hales, also holds a chance, the mare third last time out.

 

The 3.10pm handicap hurdle sees trainer Tim Vaughan and jockey Alan Johns make the trip from Wales with Nathan’s Pride, fourth last time at Fontwell. Also hopeful is Richard Dunne on Neil Mulholland’s The Detainee, third at Exeter recently.

The second chase, at 3.40pm sees Johns and Vaughan run Twasn’t the Plan, second at Ffos Las a fortnight ago while Nigel Twiston-Davies legs up Jordan Nailor on Double Court, second at Perth last time.

At 2.10pm eight debutants go in the fillies’ juvenile hurdle. Worth checking are Alan King’s grey filly Midnight Gift and Ellison’s Juals Spirit.

 


 

Selections: 1.10pm Falco Blitz, 1.40pm Brambledown, 2.10pm Midnight’s Gift, 2.40pm Ar Mest, 3.10pm The Detainee, 3.40pm Twasn’t the Plan, 4.10pm Hijack.

Words by Terry Redhead.

Greene King Raceday | DECLARATIONS

The famous green and gold hoops belonging to JP McManus and carried to glory so many times by retired champion jockey AP McCoy could feature strongly at Fakenham at the Greene King Raceday at Fakenham Racecourse on Wednesday, 31st October.

Provided there are no jumping horror shows at the north Norfolk course’s Halloween meeting, sponsored by Greene King, those colours could find their way into the winner’s enclosure.

The feature, at 2.30pm sees five go in the Greene King Novice Chase, with the favourite, the McManus owned Movewiththetimes under Barry Geraghty for Paul Nicholls. The gelding was pulled up at the Cheltenham Festival after two good efforts in class two events. Main rival is The Linksman, bidding for a hat-trick for Jonathan England and trainer Sam Drake in the £8,000 to the winner two-mile contest.

Geraghty rides the McManus owned and Nick Gifford trained Didtheyleaveuoutto in the 1pm opening maiden hurdle. The gelding won at Ascot before finishing 10th in the champion bumper at the Festival.

Eight go in the 1.30pm Greene King handicap hurdle headed by Dr Richard Newland’s Mauricio, out for a quick double after scoring at Southwell on Thursday. Tom Scudamore and trainer David Pipe are main rivals with Jacbequick, recently fourth at Bangor.

Five make debuts in the 10-runner juvenile fillies’ hurdle at 2pm in which Nicholls runs Lisa De Vassy under Harry Cobden. The filly was third on the flat at St Cloud in France in March.

Another debutant, Dance To Paris, goes for Lucky Wadham while one with previous hurdling experience is champion jockey Richard Johnson’s mount Top Rock Talula, Warren Greatrex’s filly a runner-up at Market Rasen before leaving Kenny Johnson’s stable.

The handicap hurdle at 3pm looks between Polished Rock and Scooby. The former, trained by Johnny Farrelly, seeks a hat-trick after Uttoxeter and Southwell wins while Graeme McPherson’s Scooby was a Fontwell scorer in May.

The Greene King chase at 3.30pm features Hepijeu, a gelding from Stuart Edmunds’ yard, winner of his last three starts, and Beau Saucy, under Gavin Sheeham for Olly Murphy, the gelding bidding for a hat-trick after Wincanton and Bangor victories.

A field of eight contest the 4pm finale, the bumper, Murphy having a favourite’s chance with Skandiburg, under Norfolk-based claimer Fergus Gregory.

Terry Redhead’s Selections:

1pm, Didtheyleaveuoutto; 1.30pm,Jacbequick; 2pm, Top Rock Talula; 2.30pm, Movewiththetimes; 3pm, Polished Rock; 3.30pm, Beau Saucy; 4pm,Trincomalee


DATE OF NEXT RACE MEETING: THE GREENE KING RACEDAY

FIRST RACE TIME: 1 PM

Book Tickets at Fakenham Racecourse

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.

Fakenham Racecourse Horse racing in Norfolk.

Saturday, 7th April | DECLARATIONS

National Hunt racing’s big names are out in force this afternoon when Fakenham stages a seven-race re-arranged card for Saturday, 7th April following the loss of Easter Monday’s weather-hit fixture.

Top trainers Nicky Henderson and Paul Nicholls are represented while jockey Sam Twiston-Davies looks to add to a season that has already landed him 102 winners.

He rides for father Nigel in the feature, the 5.10pm David Keith Memorial Chase, partnering Templehills in the five-runner field, the seven-year-old down four pounds after his last run when fourth at Warwick in a higher grade event.

Main rival is Fakenham regular Princeton Royale, under Trevor Whelan for Neil King, the gelding a runner-up over course and distance in February.

At 4.35pm Twiston-Davies rides Nicholls’ Captain Buck’s in the six-runner novice chase, the gelding last seen midfield in the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir chase at the Cheltenham Festival. Sam Red under Harry Skelton for brother Dan, looks the threat, the gelding a winner at the north Norfolk track in October.

Act of Valour, ninth in the Fred Winter Juvenile Hurdle at Cheltenham, is Twiston-Davies’ ride for Nicholls in the 3.25pm novice hurdle where he takes on Pacific De Baune under Nico de Boinville for Henderson. The five-year-old grey gelding was a Newbury winner a fortnight ago while Ben Pauling runs Oistrakh Le Noir under Daryl Jacob in an intriguing six-runner two-miler.

Pauling has a chance in the 4pm handicap hurdle with Le Breuil, under De Boinville, midfield in the Coral Cup at Cheltenham although Indian Hawk for Jacob and Henderson could go off market leader despite being pulled up last time at Sandown.

If things have gone well for Twiston-Davies earlier, he could finish the day in style on his father’s debutant Earlofthecotswolds in the bumper at 5.40pm. But the one to beat may be Henderson’s Before Midnight, a winner on debut at Bangor.

Racing starts at 2.15pm with a hurdle featuring a field of eight, headed by Skelton’s Ashkoul under Norfolk-based Fergus Gregory. Gregarious for Lucy Wadham and Walsingham Grange for Pam Sly go, having been first and third respectively at Towcester three weeks ago.

The 2.50pm chase could go to Global Domination under Sean Bowen although former Fakenham winner Heresmynumber, and Little Windmill, another former course winner, may have other ideas.


 

Gates open at 11am and admission is a discounted £10 per adult.

 


Terry Redhead’s Selections:

2.15pm Gregarious; 2.50pm Global Domination; 3.25pm Oistrakh Le Noir; 4pm Indian Hawk; 4.35pm Sam Red; 5.10pm Templehills; 5.40pm Éclair De Guye.

Easter Monday Raceday - Fakenham Racecourse

Easter Monday Raceday | DECLARATIONS

Harry Teal and Tom Gredley, two riders still able to claim weight allowances, have top chances of landing doubles at Fakenham’s Easter Monday seven-race meeting.

Teal teams up with trainer Neil King and has outstanding hopes on Holbrook Park and Sackett.

Holbrook Park was fourth at Fontwell on March 7, following a victory at Plumpton over a shorter trip and could go well off the same mark in the 4pm feature race, the David Keith Memorial Chase over three miles..

Main rival in the four-runner contest, Sam Red, a winner at the course in October, is the favourite for Harry and Dan Skelton for a contest worth £11,000 to the winner.

Sam Red was last seen at Southwell where he was fifth and in a tight contest could also see a challenge from the Olly Murphy trained After Aspen under David England, the eight-year-old third at the course at the last meeting.

Teal rides Sackett in the 4.35pm handicap hurdle, again for King. Sackett, a seven-year-old, won at Hereford last Tuesday and carries a six-pound penalty, but he could defy that in a five-runner field in which Shinooki looks danger for Kieland Woods and trainer Alex Hales, the 11-year-old a Fakenham winner more than a year ago.

Gredley will be going for a Hunter Chase double. In the 2.50pm Robert Hoare Novice Hunter Chase, he partners Dan Skelton’s Right of Reply, the gelding having his second run since undergoing a wind operation. Main rival is Foxcub under Emma Yardley, the duo successful in February.

In the 5.10pm Queen’s Cup over three miles, Gredley rides top weight Midnight Cowboy, formerly with Alan King. The dangers in the six-runner contest are Argot for Rory Bevin, a recent Leicester scorer, and In A Blue Dust, under Archie Wright for his father, trainer Nick.

The seven-race card opens at 2.15pm with the selling hurdle in which Ascendant, winner of five of his last six starts, including at Fakenham at the last meeting and in January, will start favourite for Patrick Cowley and trainer Johnny Farrelly.

Old favourite Gin and Tonic goes under Jack Quinlan for Michael Wigham in the 3.25pm Cecil and Sheila Buttifant Memorial Hurdle and looks to have most to fear from the James Bowen partnered Ardmayle for Ali Stronge.

The finale, the mares’ flat race at 5.40pm sees seven go and Murphy has favourite It’s O Kay, a Wetherby runner-up, ridden by Norfolk-based claimer Fergus Gregory and Foxtrot Juliet, under David England although Lucy Wadham could spring a surprise with appropriately-named debutant Easter Gold.


Selections: 2.15pm Ascendant; 2.50pm Right of Reply; 3.25pm Ardmayle; 4pm Holbrook Park; 4.35pm Sackett; 5.10pm Midnight Cowboy; 5.40pm Easter Gold.


NB: There is a precautionary inspection planned for 7am on Monday.

Totepool Silver Cup | DECLARATIONS

While the racing world goes for gold at Cheltenham this afternoon, it’s Silver Cup Day at Fakenham where there is a six-race card.

Fans can watch the Cheltenham action unfold on a giant screen as well as taking in the live action, the feature being the 4pm Fakenham Silver Cup Handicap Hurdle.

North Yorkshire trainer Brian Ellison looks to have planned a Norfolk raid, having the favourite for both the feature and the 4.40pm Prince Carlton Chase.

In the Silver Cup, Ellison runs Smart Talk under Henry Brooke, the mare third at Newcastle in February. Main rivals in the eight-runner field are Beyeh, a winner at Fakenham at the last meeting, ridden by Jack Sherwood for Newark trainer Mick Appleby, and Shining Romeo. Six-year-old Dennis Quinn trained gelding Shining Romeo, has Aidan Coleman on board, trying to follow up a recent Huntingdon success.

Brooke and Ellison have Bordeaux Bill going for a hat-trick in the Prince Carlton Chase following victories at Southwell and Wetherby. Among his six rivals are What Happens Now, under Will Kennedy for Donald McCain, third at Doncaster in December, and Potters Legend, under Coleman for Newmarket trainer Lucy Wadham.

Trainer Ollie Murphy has dominated at Fakenham this season and has outstanding chances in the other four contests.

The opening selling hurdle at 2pm, sees Murphy leg up David England on Saucysioux, a course winner in December. However, Ascendant, under Patrick Cowley for Johnny Farrelly looks the one to beat. The 12-year-old scored at Fakenham in January and has won five of his last six races.

At 2.40pm four go in the Easter Monday Racing At Fakenham Chase with Murphy having Coleman on board favourite After Aspen. The gelding had his first run for Murphy at Lingfield last month and won well.

Twenty Eight Guns, winner of Fakenham’s Tim Barclay Chase at the last meeting, goes under Ben Poste for Michael Scudamore while Pam Sly sends out December course winner Mortens Leam.

Murphy has odds-on favourite Weebill in the 3.20pm Robert Case Memorial Maiden Hurdle under James Nixon, the gelding a recent Warwick runner-up.

In the 5.15pm finale, the Walter Wales Memorial Novice Chase, Coleman and Murphy team up with Wood Pigeon, a January Fakenham winner who has since unseated his rider, pulled up, and finished second.

Words by Terry Redhead 

 


FIRST RACE TIME: 2 PM

LAST RACE TIME: 5.15 PM

GATES OPEN: 11 AM

GOING: THE GROUND ON 13/3/18 IS SOFT, HEAVY IN THE TWO DIPS. GOING STICK READING 5.3

Lycetts Raceday | DECLARATIONS

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.