Trainer Henrietta Knight made her first ever visit to Fakenham on Monday as did her jockey Denis O'Regan. Both left thinking of what might have been with O'Regan having a fourteen day "holiday" to learn how to count.
It’s a long journey from the Knight stables to Fakenham and an even longer one when one of your strongly fancied horses is ridden out to a finish a circuit early.
Not for the first time did the sharp Fakenham course catch out an unwary jockey. In the 3 mile chase at 1:30 O’Regan, riding the well backed 5/2 shot Harringay, should have completed three complete circuits of the Norfolk track.
On the second circuit the horse, who is normally held up, was urged on by O’Rourke to pass all his rivals and cross the line. However the pilot failed to notice his opponents were not making the same effort and they were still heading towards the jump in front of the stands. O’Rourke realised his mistake too late and was forced to pull up his mount.
He waited at the far end of the straight until after the race had finished a circuit later and he returned to the paddock to a cacophony of boos from those who had backed him and a double barreled blast from connections.
Unsurprisingly the Stewards held an enquiry and O’Rourke was handed a 14 day ban.
O’Rourke was clearly upset at his mistake and Knight was, afterwards, her usual philosophical self. She did make the suggestion, however, that the finishing line should be dolled off until the final circuit in an attempt to prevent a recurrence.
Elsewhere on the card, the odds on favourite Sainte Kadette, from the Pipe yard was well beaten by 11/8 second favourite Working Title in the novices hurdle. The Pipe runner was very fractious in the parade ring and set off at a fast pace in the race. The exertions took their toll as the filly tired coming out of the back straight and Mick Fitzgerald, who had played a waiting game on the eventual winner, coasted home a clear 25 length winner.
The Pipe seconditis continued in the most exciting finish of the day when the yards Helen Wood, who looked the likely winner three out, was beaten on the line by the 10 year old grey Gods Token. The grey had been in the van throughout the 2 mile 5 furlong chase and was joined for the lead by the Pipe runner down the back straight.
At the third last Helen Wood had taken a four length lead and it appeared she was destined for glory. However as the runners turned into the home straight the leader started sending out distress signals and Sam Thomas on the grey asked for one final effort. Helen Wood jumped the last just in front but the writing was on the wall as two tired horses battled it out to the line with the grey winning by ½ length with Thunder Rock 25 lengths behind in third.