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
