Tag Archives: Racing Report

Fakenham Greene King 2020

Top Trainer Henderson Sets Sights On A Valentine’s Treble

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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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POST RACING REPORT | Greene King Raceday

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A faller nine days ago at Plumpton, Knocknanuss quickly gained compensation when landing the £14,000 Greene King IPA Novice Chase at Fakenham.

“I was surprised when he fell at Plumpton. But once we knew he was ok both my dad and I said Fakenham next week,” said winning rider Jamie Moore, son of Sussex-based trainer Gary.

“He is very keen but on his day he’s a decent sort. I’m pleased for the owners, they deserve this good prize,” he added.

The 9/4 chance was left clear when odds-on favourite Movewiththetimes crashed out down the back straight after another key rival, The Linksman, had fallen at the open ditch.

There had been better times for Movewiththetimes’ jockey Barry Geragthy when his mount made a winning debut over hurdles in the opener. The odds-on Didtheyleaveuoutto got up in the dying strides to defeat pacesetter Starjac.

The Nick Gifford trained five-year-old had shown smart form in bumpers and jumped well, returned the 2/5 favourite in a slowly run contest.

Tom Scudamore made the trip from trainer David Pipe’s Somerset yard worthwhile when he landed the Greene King handicap hurdle on 4/1 chance Jacbequick.

Always up with the leaders, Jacbequick had enough left to hold off Mauricio and My Brother.

“He was brilliant. He is such a professional at home and on the track. He won eight times on the flat and has now won over hurdles,” said Scudamore, after his only ride of the afternoon.

You can’t ignore Newmarket trainer Lucy Wadham at Fakenham and her Dance To Paris made a winning hurdles debut under Leighton Aspell.

Hot favourite Lisa De Vassy was pulled up and left 5/1 chance Dance To Paris to waltz home in the fillies’ juvenile event, beating outsider Powerful Society.

Our Reward demolished his six rivals to coast home in the handicap hurdle by 26 lengths under Jack Quinlan for trainer Jamie Snowden. Nothing challenged the leader who was returned at 3/1.

Gavin Sheehan produced favourite Beau Sancy perfectly to take the Greene King Chase for trainer Olly Murphy. Sheehan took it up before the last to get his 15/8 gelding home to complete a hat-trick of victories.

Murphy then completed a swift double when his Skandiburg, under Fergus Gregory, won the finale, the two-mile bumper at 5/6.

Words by Terry Redhead 

DATE OF NEXT RACE MEETING: NOVEMBER RACE MEETING, 20TH NOVEMBER

FIRST RACE TIME: 1 PM

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Greene King Raceday | DECLARATIONS

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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

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Jarrold Ladies Day at Fakenham Racecourse

Jarrold Ladies Day | DECLARATIONS

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The ladies have their day in the limelight at Fakenham on Sunday afternoon when the Jarrold sponsored Ladies Day completes the 2017/18 National Hunt season at the north Norfolk course.

The feature race is the £10,000 plus to the winner Jarrold Ladies Day Chase at 2.50pm in which five battle it out over three miles and 18 fences.

Princeton Royale, trained by Neil King, is the favourite under seven-pound claimer Jack Andrews. A Fakenham regular and twice a runner-up at the course, Princeton Royale runs after a victory at Stratford.

Trainer Jonjo O’Neill has also eyed up the attractive prize and sends Easy Street, an eight-year-old gelding to do battle under Aidan Coleman. The horse was off the course for almost a year before returning a month ago to score at Warwick.

Of the five runners, also in with a chance is Hedgeinator under James Bowen for Christian Williams. The gelding was on a hat-trick when he ran in the Norfolk National at Fakenham’s last meeting, finishing fourth. A drop back in trip should help.

Stratford-based trainer Olly Murphy has been a star at the course this season and has real hopes of further winners, beginning in the opening hurdle at 2.20pm in which he has Emmas Dilemma who was recently third at Market Rasen.

Fifth Shades for Bowen and Williams, a runner-up at Huntingdon on Bank Holiday Monday, and Charlie Pogson’s West To Crossgales, a Southwell runner-up a week ago, are main rivals in the seven-runner event.

Murphy has the help of champion jockey Richard Johnson in the 3.25 maiden hurdle on Yensir, third on debut at Ludlow and expected to improve. Chief threats are Artful Artist, having a first start for five months for Richard Newland and Sam Twiston-Davies, hurdling debutant Guiding Star for Harry Whittington and Pam Sly’s Haafapiece.

Only four go in the 3.55pm novice chase in which Newmarket trainer Michael Wigham’s three-times Fakenham winner Gin and Tonic could score again. Second at Huntingdon on Monday over hurdles, the gelding reverts to the bigger obstacles. Ballycamp, third on both his last two starts is the main rival.

Eight lady amateurs battle out the 4.25pm hurdle with trainer Neil King double-handed with Canford Thompson and previous Fakenham winner Dizzey Heights. But the race may go to Olly Murphy’s Bisoubisou, a course winner in November.

The finale at 4.55pm sees six contest the 1st The Queens Dragoon Guards Novice Chase, headed by Millen Dollar Man, a winner at the last meeting under Richie McLernon for Alex Dunn. But it may be worth watching Wymondham trainer Caroline Fryer’s Midnight Bliss, unbeaten in her last three starts in point-to-points.

Selections: 2.20pm Emmas Dilemma; 2.50pm Easy Street; 3.25pm Yensir; 3.55pm Gin and Tonic; 4.25pm Bisoubisou; 4.55pm Midnight Bliss.

Words by Terry Redhead

DATE OF NEXT RACE MEETING: JARROLD LADIES DAY, SUNDAY 3RD JUNE 2018

FIRST RACE TIME: 2.20 PM

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Jarrold Ladies Day at Fakenham Racecourse, Norfolk

Jarrold Ladies Day | ENTRIES

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The ‘Ladies’ will bring down the curtain on Fakenham’s National Hunt season on Sunday when the north Norfolk course holds its annual Jarrold Ladies Day six-race meeting.

There are prizes available for the best-dressed ladies while the far from an insignificant matter of six top races should keep punters happy from 2.20pm to 4.55pm.

The feature race is the 2.50pm Jarrold Ladies Day Handicap Chase over three miles and 18 fences worth more than £10,000 to the winner.

Trainer Neil King has Fakenham regular Princeton Royale among the 12 entries, the nine-year-old gelding a Stratford winner over a shorter trip in April, having twice been runner-up at Fakenham early in the year.

Jonjo O’Neill has Easy Street, an eight-year-old successful at Warwick early in May while Hedgeinator, from Christian Williams’ stable, returns to the course where he was fourth a month ago in the Snellings Norfolk National behind Emerald Rose, having previously won at Sedgefield and Ludlow.

While the class three contest is the day’s highlight, the 3.55pm Wordingham Plant Hire Novice Chase over two miles also promises to be compelling.

Among those entered are Michael Wigham’s previous course winner Gin and Tonic, a runner-up on Bank Holiday Monday at Huntingdon, Muhtaris, a Uttoxeter winner at the weekend for trainer Ian Williams, and Tikkinthebox, Jeremy Scott’s six-year-old gelding a May winner at Wincanton, following an earlier victory at Taunton.

Lady amateur riders get their chance to shine in the 4.25pm handicap hurdle in which Stratford-based trainer Olly Murphy, by far the most successful trainer at the course this season, has three entered. They are former course winner Bisoubisou, Emma’s Dilemma, third at Market Rasen earlier this month, and Flow With Eve, fourth at that Lincolnshire course on the same card.

The finale is the 1st Queen’s Dragoon Guards Novice Handicap Chase for which a dozen have been entered, including Millen Dollar Man, trained by Alex Dunn in Somerset, and a winner at Fakenham at the last meeting. The nine-year-old faces a step up in trip in the three-miler.

The day opens with the 2.20pm Pedlars Hall Café Double Bubble Breakfast Handicap Hurdle in which Christian Williams has entered Fifth Shades, a Worcester winner prior to finishing runner-up at Huntingdon on Bank Holiday Monday.

At 3.25pm the King’s Lynn Maiden Hurdle over two miles has attracted an initial entry of 19, including Murphy’s Yensir, third of seven on hurdling debut at Ludlow a fortnight ago.

DATE OF NEXT RACE MEETING: JARROLD LADIES DAY, SUNDAY 3RD JUNE 2018

FIRST RACE TIME: 2.20 PM

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The Snellings Norfolk national. Fakenham Racecourse

The Snellings Norfolk National | POST RACING REPORT

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Jockey Mark Grant endured an awful journey to Fakenham but despite arriving just 30 minutes before the start of the course’s richest and longest race of the season, managed to take the Snellings Norfolk National Chase on Emerald Rose.

“It was a bit touch and go as to whether or not I was going to get here. There were problems with traffic but thankfully I made it.

“She’s the best horse I’ve ridden; she stays well and jumps well,”

said the jockey, who had ridden the 11-year-old mare to win at the course in May 2016.

Returned at 14/1, Emerald Rose, trained by Julian Smith, who was unable to be at the track, made smooth progress through the field. At the last of the 22 fences she was joined by Washed Ashore who crashed out, leaving Emerald Rose to cruise home by 13 lengths.

Set List, trained by Dan Skelton, jumped jockey Richie McLernon who had been thrown from Washed Ashore, and ran on to finish second with top weight Court King third.

“I knew Richie was closing in at the last but you’ve got to jump them, Emerald Rose did and his mount didn’t, it’s as simple as that,”

said Grant, as he celebrated taking the £32,000 race worth almost £20,000 to the winner.

A tired Potters Hedger held on to take the Snellings Maiden Hurdle under Jack Sherwood for regular Fakenham winner, Newmarket-based trainer Lucy Wadham.

With a circuit to go the eventual winner broke clear with two rivals but when Don Des Fosses fell and Chimes of Dylan dropped away, 7/2 chance Potters Hedger was left 25 lengths clear. Approaching the final flight the gelding looked very tired but held on from favourite Hatchet Jack.

Potters Midnight failed to make it a Wadham and Sherwood double when beaten in the TBA Mares’ Hurdle which went to the impressive 5/2 shot Apache Song under Harry Bannister for trainer James Eustace, defying top weight to win in style from last year’s winner, Amron Kali.

Bottom weight Millen Dollar Man cruised home in the Jarrold Fakenham Ladies Day on June 3rd Chase under McLernon for trainer Alex Dunn who made the 500-mile round trip from the West Country worthwhile.

Runner-up in his last two starts, the nine-year-old gelding surged between two rivals as the trio approached the final fence. He produced an excellent leap to race away to score by seven lengths at 5/1.

If you are looking for consistency 12-year-old gelding Ascendant is the horse to follow. Under a drive from Patrick Cowley, Ascendant took the opening Snellings Selling Hurdle by almost a length, returned 5/6 favourite.

Ascendant was recording his third win at Fakenham this campaign and was notching his seventh victory from his last eight starts and 18th career success for trainer Johnny Farrelly.

The finale, the Turner Trophy Hunters’ Chase saw Strollawaynow charge through late on to win easily under Benedict Shaw for trainer David Arbuthnot, returned at 12/1, ahead of Can Mestret under Gina Andrews. Shaw is the head lad for Arbuthnot and was having just his second ride under rules.

Wors by Terry Redhead 

DATE OF NEXT RACE MEETING: Jarrold Ladies Day, Sunday 3rd June 2018

FIRST RACE TIME: 2.20 PM

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The Snellings NorfolkNational

The Snellings Norfolk National | DECLARATIONS

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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.

Post Racing Report | Saturday, 7th April

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Jockey Sam Twiston-Davies bounced back from a fall in the opening race to collect the spoils on the classy Paul Nicholls trained Act of Valour in the novice hurdle, one of the championship hurdle series, at Fakenham’s rescheduled meeting on Saturday.

Odds-on favourite Pacific De Baune, trained by Nicky Henderson, set the pace but the grey gelding could not hold off Act of Valour, returned at 2/1, who was 12lbs better off at the weights.

Midfield in the Fred Winter Juvenile Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, Act of Valour will now go for the series final.

“He did it very well. We didn’t think Henderson’s horse could give us 12lbs and beat us and so it proved,” said a delighted Twiston-Davies.

That opening race fall left Twiston-Davies sore and he pulled out of the feature race, the David Keith Memorial Chase and was replaced by Daryl Jacob who duly survived a stewards’ enquiry to win on Nigel Twiston-Davies’ Templehills.

Fakenham regular Princeton Royale looked as if he might at last get his nose in front but the top weight and 15/8 favourite had enough to score despite jumping to his left at the final fence.

Trouble with the horsebox, which twice broke down en route from Wantage, and a subsequent late arrival at the course, couldn’t prevent Step Back from winning the Racing Partnership Chase under Nico de Boinville for trainer Mark Bradstock.

The gelding led from start to finish for a first success over fences, returned the odds-on 8/13 favourite and in scoring, completed a double for the jockey.

Global Domination got his reward for a consistent season which had seen him placed in his last four starts, when picking off the front two after the final fence to take the handicap chase under Sean Bowen.

Returned the 15/8 favourite, Global Domination was adrift of the leading pair approaching the last. But after a superb leap, Bowen drove past his rivals to score.

“He deserved that. We’ve wanted better ground and we’ve got it today. Together with adding a tongue strap, it all seemed to do the trick,” said trainer Caroline Bailey.

Norfolk-based jockey Fergus Gregory lost his seven-pound claim when he recorded his fifth win of the season at the course, partnering the Dan Skelton trained Ashkoul to victory in the opening Dunton Handicap Hurdle.

Gregory, from Thompson near Watton, produced the 9/2 chance to cruise by Dinsdale to follow up a recent Market Rasen success. In clocking up his 20th winner of his career, Gregory’s claim was reduced to five pounds.

Top weight Le Breuil, last seen in the Coral Cup at the Cheltenham Festival, won a dramatic handicap hurdle under de Boinville for trainer Ben Pauling.

Maxime Tissier charged through on Lucy Wadham’s grey mare Iconic Sky and celebrated when passing the winning line before realising there was another circuit to go. That left favourite Le Breuil in front and he held off all challengers to win from Sir Mangan, returned at 2/1. The blunder by Tissier, earned him a 14-day suspension handed down by the stewards.

The finale, the bumper, was won by Before Midnight, the 4/5 favourite winning by a nose to complete a treble for de Boinville. The winner was trained by Nicky Henderson, who coincidentally won as a jockey the last time Fakenham staged a Saturday meeting, in September 1975.

Words by Terry Redhead

DATE OF NEXT RACE MEETING: SNELLINGS NORFOLK NATIONAL, 8th MAY 2018

FIRST RACE TIME: 2.10 PM

Easter Monday Raceday - Fakenham Racecourse

Easter Monday Raceday | DECLARATIONS

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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

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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