Tag Archives: Terry Redhead

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.

The Snellings Norfolk National at Fakenham Racecourse

The Snellings Norfolk National | ENTRY REPORT

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There are 21 entries for one of the highlights of Fakenham’s National Hunt season, the Snellings Norfolk National Chase over three miles and five furlongs on Tuesday.

In total there are 116 entries for the six-race card but all eyes will be on the 3.45pm feature race, worth around £32,000 with almost £20,000 going to the eventual winner.

That winner, if taking his chance, could be eight-year-old gelding Hedgeinator, bidding for a hat-trick for trainer Christian Williams. Hedgeinator won twice in January, over three miles and two furlongs at Sedgefield and over three miles at Ludlow, both contests on soft ground.

On both occasions, the gelding was ridden by James Bowen whose father, trainer Peter, has two entered in Fakenham’s long-distance event. He has Buachaill Alainn and Court King in the provisional line-up and would like nothing better than to take the top prize home to Wales.

There is a strong supporting card to the National, with local electrical firm Snellings providing the sponsorship.

Olly Murphy has been the top trainer at Fakenham since the 2017/18 campaign began back in October and he has four entered in the Snellings Maiden Hurdle at 3.10pm over two miles and four furlongs.

Murphy, a visitor to every Fakenham meeting this season from his base near Stratford, has Captiva Island, Flynnvincible, Fresh New Dawn and Telegraph Place in the original line-up, three of those runners having already raced at the course.

The opening race at 2.10pm, the two-mile Snellings Conditional Jockeys Selling Hurdle over two miles could see hardy veteran Ascendant, trained by Johnny Farrelly return to the north Norfolk track where he has already won twice in 2018. He scored on New Year’s Day and followed up in March, also winning at Sedgefield and Huntingdon to chalk up four wins from five starts this calendar year.

Trainer Michael Scudamore will be hoping 12-year-old Skint can complete a hat-trick if taking his chance in the 2.40pm Jarrold Fakenham Ladies Day on Sunday, June 3rd Chase over two miles and five furlongs. Skint won at Fontwell three weeks ago after an earlier success at Huntingdon.

The card is completed with the 4.15pm Mares Handicap Hurdle over two miles and four furlongs which has 18 entries and the finale, the Turner Trophy Hunter Case over three miles, for which 22 are entered.

Words by Terry Redhead 

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

FIRST RACE TIME: 2.10 PM

Step Back. Fakenham Racecourse

Step Back Bags Another Win

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Step Back, winner of the Racing Partnership Handicap Chase at the last Fakenham race meeting on Saturday, April 7, followed up in style at the weekend.

The eight-year-old chestnut gelding, trained in Wantage by Mark Bradstock, won the feature race on the final day of the 2017/18 National Hunt season at Sandown, the bet365 Gold Cup Handicap Chase.

Ridden by Jamie Moore, Step Back led after the sixth fence of the three-mile and five-furlong contest and won in great fashion, returned the second favourite of the 20-runner field, at 7/1. He lifted the £85,000 winner’s prize finally scoring from 13 lengths from champion jockey Richard Johnson on Rock The Kasbah.

Nico de Boinville had scored on the gelding at Fakenham, a victory achieved despite the Bradstock’s horsebox twice breaking down en route.

Step Back now has a great chance of progressing into the top flight of steeplechasers next season for a small stable who won the blue riband of the sport, the Cheltenham Gold Cup, with Coneygree, back in 2016.

Another winner at the last Fakenham meeting, Act of Valour, under Sam Twiston-Davies for trainer Paul Nicholls, was fifth in the opening race at Sandown on Saturday, the bet365 Novice Championship Final Handicap Hurdle over two miles.

The next meeting at Fakenham is on Tuesday, May 8, with the highlight the long-distance Norfolk National, sponsored by Snellings.

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Words by Terry Redhead. Photo by Roger Harris. 

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

Fakenham Racecourse Horse racing in Norfolk.

Saturday, 7th April | DECLARATIONS

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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.