16:07 That’s it from a very dull Fakenham where most have been delighted to see the return of turf action.
Out next live coverage will, weather permitting, be from Newcastle on Wednesday.
16:00 An eventful finale with fallers and loose horses almost causing mayhem.
I think the question needs to be asked if it was wise to stage a chase as the final race on the card in conditions which were very murky and bleak.
The “action” happened in front of the stands, with Methodical falling at the sixth and Don’t Be Bleu at the seventh.
The danger happened on the next circuit as both the fallers came down the track the “wrong way” only just avoiding a potentially dangerous and nasty incident.
In the race itself the grey Ferimon made the running but looked to have shot his bolt as he was headed by Will The Till as they started the final circuit.
It looked as though Will The Till was going to come home unchallenged but as they turned out of the back straight Ferimon was coming back for more.
The pair jumped the second last together but as they turned for home Richard Johnson kicked Ferimon into the lead again and he held of to win by 1¾ lengths.
15:38 Our last race, a 3m 1f chase is going to be interesting as it is getting very dull here.
15:33 A good day at the office for AP McCoy as he bags another winner, this time on a spare ride.
His original mount Jades Double was withdrawn due to the going and he jocked off Paul Moloney to take the ride on Rocky Ryan, who was promptly backed into favouritism.
It was a typical tactical Mccoy ride as he settled Rocky Ryan mid-division before, once again, making a challenge two out.
Spider Boy had been the pace setter, however he had dropped back through the field long before McCoy launched his challenge.
As they turned for home it looked to be a three horse race with Rocky Ryan, Orchard House and Festive Chimes looking to have the race between them.
Whilst Rocky Ryan looked comfortable, Orchard House soon faded and at the same time Festive Chimes who had run on well and Tarkesar who was running on really well from near last suddenly emerged as the threats.
At the last it was down to a two horse race with the favourite being strongly challenged by Tarkesar. McCoy had to work really hard to record his 1¾ length victory.
Festive Chimes held on for third.
14:59 Back to the larger obstacles for our fourth event a 2m 5f novices’ chase.
AP McCoy was on the jolly this time in the shape of Kia Kaha and this time McCoy had no problems getting his mount home in first place, winning by a comfortable nine lengths.
Settled at the rear in the early stages, then in third place, McCoy began to challenge approaching two out when he took up the running from the rank outsider Ortega, who had only just taken up the running from the long time front runner Peak Seasons.
Pop was on the heels of Kia Kaha as they turned for home but two mistakes at the 13th and 14th had probably taken the edge off Pop and he never looked a serious contender.
Approaching the last the only danger to McCoy was the fence but he jumped it fluently.
Pop quickly tired on the run in and the running-on Valley Ride took second place by a neck.
14:30 A competitive two mile novices’ hurdle for out third race in which twelve went to post.
Rockiteer and Vacario were sent off the joint favourites and had differing fortunes. The former attempted to make all whilst the latter was always behind and was tailed off as they completed the first circuit.
Rockiteer led until two out at which point Princeful, trained by Venetia Williams and ridden by Sam Thomas jumped into the lead, but hot on his heels were Su Bleu and, even more menacingly, Gabreselassie under the champion jockey AP McCoy.
However Gabreselassie was soon under pressure despite McCoy offering up the full works. However Princeful looked to be the fresher horse and approaching the last had a two length lead.
Gabresalassie put in a good jump at the last but Princeful had a good enough lead and was still running on well to record a 3¾ length victory.
As in the last race there was a good battle for third place with the running on Shinnecock Bay just heading the favourite on the line.
14:05 We have a going change where it is now Good to Soft all over.
13:58 Our second race saw the appearance of the equine star of the afternoon in the shape of Carruthers, the Lord Oaksey bred and owned hurdling star.
Today was his second appearance over the bigger obstacles and he faced an easier task than the first time over the larger obstacles at Uttoxeter last October.
Of course his price reflected the quality of the opposition as he was sent off at 2/11 and he ran exactly as such a short priced runner should.
After sharing the lead with Ballyboley for the first two fences, Matty Batchelor sent him in front and he was never headed for the remainder of the race, eventually coming home the heavily eased 29 length winner.
There was a decent battle developing for second place between Ballyboley and Carrick Oscar until the latter fell four out when second.
Ballyboley came home second in his own time.
There was a battle for third place which had the crown shouting as Off The Shelf ran on with enthusiasm for the only time in the race to nail Supreme Leisure on the line – it’s a shame they were a country mile behind the runner up.
13:34 The rain has started and the crowd are dashing to find whatever shelter there is.
13:26 Well turf racing is finally back in England and the opener here at Fakenham was a 2m 4f maiden hurdle in which Havenstone from the Evan Williams yard was the well backed 5/.4 favourite.
Although running on at the end jockey Donal Fahy had two much to do to trouble the two leaders.
Said leaders were Carrickboy, who had led from the start and King Ar Aghaidh, the latter being settled mid-division before challenging for the lead turning for home the final time. Indeed as they turned for home the front pair were locked together, although King Ar Aghaidh looked to be travelling the better and he did indeed put in the better jump to clinch the race at the last, pulling away in the short run-in.
The favourite was running on but still finished ten lengths behind the second.
12:44 Good afternoon from Fakenham where, beyond expectations, the weather is dry.We currently have three non-runners.
07:23 Racing goes ahead following an early morning inspection.
The official going is Good, Good to Soft in the first dip
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Non-Runners
1:20
13 Galley Slave (not eaten up - SC)
3:20
3 Celtic Heather (Heat in leg - SC)
4 Jades Double (going)
Results
1:20
1st 8 King Ar Aghaidh 7/1
2nd 3 Carrickboy 5/1
3rd 7 Havenstone 5/4 fav
13 Ran NR 13
Distances 3 3/4 & 10
Fav third
Tote
Win £9.50
Place £2.30 £1.50 £1.20
Exacta £27.50
CSF £41.46
Time 5 27.25"
1:50
1st 3 Carruthers 2/11 fav
2nd 1 Ballyboley 16/1
6 Ran
Distances 29
Fav winner
Tote
Win £1.30
Place £1.10 £3.00
Exacta £4.60
CSF £4.58
Time 6' 40.1"
2:20
1st 4 Princeful 6/1
2nd 2 Gabreselassie 3/1
3rd 6 Shinnecock Bay 14/1
12 Ran
Distances 3 1/4 & 3 3/4
Fav No's 4 & 11 (4th & last)
Tote
Win £7.10
Place £1.90 £1.50 £4.00
Exacta £30.10
CSF £25.10
Time 4' 18.9"
2:50
1st 1 Kia Kaha 5/4 fav
2nd 6 Valley Ride 15/2
6 Ran
Distances 9
Fav winner
Tote
Win £2.20
Place £1.30 £3.00
Exacta £12.60
CSF £10.99
Time 5' 52.7"
Result Stands
3:20
1st 7 Rocky Ryan 15/8 fav
2nd 10 Tarkesar 9/1
3rd 2 Festive Chimes 18/1
14 Ran NR's 3 & 4
Distances 1 3/4 & 4
Fav winner
Tote
Win £3.10
Place £2.20 £2.50 £4.40
Exacta £32.20
CSF £18.82
Tricast £249.90
Time no time recorded
3:50
1st 3 Ferimon 13/2
2nd 7 Will The Till 15/2
3rd 1 Creinch 8/1
12 Ran
Distances 1 3/4 & 8
Fav 2 Sprosser 4/1 (Upl)
Tote
Win £8.70
Place £2.10 £3.30 £3.10
Exacta £71.30
CSF £54.48
Tricast £401.26
Time 6' 49.7"
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