19:00 It isn't very often I do this but I think a change of mind on one of my earlier comments. Having re-watched The Polomoche's run I think it may have been a very canny ride by Barry Geraghty in that he did just enough to win the race without over-exerting the horse and he may have had plenty in hand.
15:43 Well that’s it from, a now almost dark, Fakenham where the cold wind and rain whipped across the course but Messer’s Henderson and Geraghty will not be too bothered by that, recording a good four timer.
Most impressive winner had to be Petroglyph most “disappointing” winner had to the The Polomonche.
Tomorrow we will be at Southwell for their national hunt meeting, until then good afternoon.
15:36 Well a fantastic afternoon at the office for Nicky Henderson and Barry Geraghty as they record a 21/1 four timer on the afternoon, with The Queen’s Pipe Banner taking the spoils in our finale.
Wild Side Of Life and, the favourite, Dorothy’s Friend took up the running although the former dropped out quickly and pulled up after the fifth flight.
The lead then changed several time as Crime Don’t Pay, Dorothy’s Gift and No Rules all had a gio in front.
By two out it was two horse race with No Rules heading Pipe Banner, with Dorothy’s Friend in third and Little Eaglet struggling in fourth.
Pipe Banner hit the front at the final flight, clearing it well and pulling away up the run-in to record a 2½ length victory.
15:19 Some money for Little Eaglet 9's from 12's
15:17 Our final contest is the 2m 4f, 1824 Maiden Hurdle – the name coming from a special promotion for 18-24 year old racegoers.
Nine go to post with The Queen’s Pipe Banner looking to give Nicky Henderson and Barry Geraghty a four timer on the afternoon.
15:06 Well Nicky Henderson and Barry Geraghty achieved their treble with The Polomoche but, boy, did they have to fight for the victory and he certainly did not win in the manner of a 1/4 shot.
He led from the off but Henrietta Knight’s Teddy’s Reflection , under Sam Thomas would not leave him in peace.
Setting off on the final circuit Teddy’s Reflection took up the running but Geraghty tracked him.
Two out the pair were well clear with Teddy’s Reflection just shading the favourite but Geraghty was having to get low in the saddle.
Straightening up for the last Geraghty had to get to work on the favourite and he just managed to get the favourite in front as they jumped the last.
Lesser horses would have given up the fight and if Teddy’s Reflection was going to get beaten he was going to go down fighting.
A good battle on the short run-in and The Polomonche just managed to hold on by ¾ of a length on his chasing debut.
14:45 Our penultimate race, in the gathering gloom, is the Wells Next To The Sea Beginners’ Chase over the extended 2m 5f and if the betting is to be believed it looks like a treble for Henderson / Geraghty as The Polomoche is trading at 2/7.
14:36 A good trip to Fakenham for Nicky Henderson as his Strawberry takes our feature contest this afternoon.
They went a reasonable pace in this three mile contest and once things settled down it was Coq Hardi who took up the running with the remainder closely bunched up behind.
Two out Coq Hardi still had the lead but both Strawberry and I’Moncloudnine were in pursuit.
Entering the home straight Barry Geraghty hit the front on Strawberry and soon had a few lengths on I’Moncloudnine and Coq Hardi.
It looked as though there was going to be a good battle up the run in as both I’Moncloudnine and Coq Hardi launched challenges but Strawberry had enough in hand to win by three lengths.
Herecomestanley was running on well in the closing stages with 3 miles looking like a minimum for him nowadays.
14:15 Race four is the feature race, the extended 3 mile SIS Handicap Chase in which six have turned up to compete.
14:13 I have just, literally, bumped into ATR presenter Zoe Bird who is dressed in a manner that would go down well with the Taliban o only her eyes are visible – which tells you just how pleasant the weather conditions are.
14:12 We have a going change, it is now Good to Soft, Soft in Places
14:06 There won’t be many more comfortable winners anywhere this season than Petroglyph who positively hacked up to take this extended 2m 7f contest.
Settled nearer last than first in the early stages, Richard Johnson began to make steady progress as they embarked on their final circuit, hitting the front three out.
Vivarni stayed with him in front for a while but it was the favourite, Count Boris, who emerged as the main danger, although danger is probably overstating it.
From the second last Petroglyph simply pulled away, relishing the conditions, and easily adding to his recent Ludlow win.
The handicapper will probably take a strong view of the win.
Count Boris did come home second but 15 lengths behind the winner and it was an additional 30 lengths back to third placed Vivarni.
13:44 Race three is the Northern Norfolk Simply Outstanding Handicap Hurdle (although in todays weather it lakes a leap of faith) over the extended 2m 7f.
With three non-runners eleven line up.
In the parade ring, in the pouring rain, Tarkesar is getting very uptight in the preliminaries.
13:36 Nicky Henderson’s good season continues as Working Title wins on his chase debut at Fakenham, putting in a good display of jumping.
Musical Weld set the initial pace but Working Title took up the running after the second and was never subsequently headed.
Musical Weld was quickly pulled-up after the fourth.
Completing the first circuit Working Title had a couple of lengths lead with Kanad and I Have Dreamed vying for second place.
Vogarth unseated at the fence in front of the stands.
Turning for home I Have Dreamed went clear second, the pace being too much for Kanad.
I Have Dreamed was closing on the leader approaching the last and he accelerated up the run-in. However Working Title had plenty left in the locker and came home a comfortable 3½ length winner.
Kanad was 18 lengths behind in third, whilst Safe Investment came home fourth, in his own time.
13:14 A fairly average lot in the parade ring.
Working Title a little bit on his toes.
13:07 Next up is the SIS Novices’ Chase over the extended 2 miles, six face the starter.
13:06 Two more non-runners in the 13:50.
13:04 A strange race in which several of the runners seemed to run in snatches
The favourite Am I Blue set out to make all although she was harried by Quick Single in the very early exchanges.
Eventually Quick Single went into reverse and was pulled up.
Drussell emerged as the main challenger, with Lastkingofscotland also to the fore.
It was all change again as they approached the second last with Am I Blue still in front but Diktalina and Mymateeric emerging as the challengers.
Turning for home it was down to two as Am I Blue still held the lead but with Mymateeric on her quarters and looking fresher.
The favourite took the flight in front but there was a certain inevitability as Mymateeric firstly came upsides then eased ahead, eventually crossing the line three parts of a length in front.
12:48 Interesting to note the Stewards Chairman here today is William Wales – I don’t think it is the William Wales though.
12:42 Our opening contest is the 2m Fakenham Juvenile Maiden Hurdle in which nine face the starter.
12:36 It has started raining again, a singularly unpleasant afternoon weather wise.
12:26 Just one non-runner
12:21 Good afternoon from Fakenham where it has just stopped raining. The going remains Good to Soft
07:40 There have been 5mm of rain overninght with another 2-3mm expected this morning. The going remains Good to Soft.
Our selections are:-
12:50 |
7 |
Am I Blue |
13:20 |
6 |
Working Title |
13:50 |
12 |
Diktatorship |
14:20 |
4 |
I'Moncloudnine |
14:50 |
6 |
The Polomoche |
15:20 |
5 |
Pipe Banner |
14:20 Sunday
The advance news is:-
Going
Good to Soft.
(GoingStick: 7.8 on Sunday at 08:00)
Weather
8mm Rain Fri Night/Sat Morning, 15mm Sat night/Sun morning.
Forcast heavy showers Sunday morning possibly giving 10 to 15mm.
Dry Sunday afternoon and evening. Light showers Monday.
Return to race archive:
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Non-Runners
The time in brackets is the time the horse was officially declared a non-runner.
SC - Self Certificate
VC - Vet's Certificate
Non-runners
13:50
1 Norman Beckett
12 Diktatorship (cast in box - VC 10:55)
13 Major Upset
Results
12:50 Maiden Hurdle 2m
1st 4 Mymateeric 12/1
2nd 7 Am I Blue 15/8 fav
3rd 9 Diktalina 14/1
9 Ran
Distances ¾ & 3¾
Fav second
Tote
Win £12.80
Places £3.10 £1.30 £3.60
Exacta £38.20
CSF £37.06
Time 4' 18.7"
13:20 Novices' Chase 2m 110yds
1st 6 Working Title 4/6 fav
2nd 1 I Have Dreamed 9/4
6 Ran
Distances 3½
Fav winner
Tote
Win £1.70
Places £1.40 £1.10
Exacta £3.00
CSF £2.54
Time 4' 21.4"
13:50 Handicap Hurdle 2m 7f 110yds
1st 6 Petroglyph 11/4
2nd 2 Count Boris 5/2 fav
3rd 8 Vivarini 25/1
11 Ran Nr's 1, 12 & 13
Distances 15 & 30
Fav second
Tote
Win £4.20
Places £1.50 £1.70 £6.60
Exacta £12.50
CSF £10.41
Tricast £146.47
Time 6' 17.1"
14:20 Handicap Chase 3m 110yds
1st 1 Strawberry 9/4
2nd 4 I'Moncloudnine 2/1 fav
6 Ran
Distances 3
Fav second
Tote
Win £3.60
Places £2.50 £1.10
Exacta £6.10
CSF £7.23
Time 6' 36.5"
14:50 Beginners' Chase 2m 5f 110yds
1st 6 The Polomoche 1/4 fav
2nd 5 Teddy's Reflection 6/1
6 Ran
Distances ¾
Fav winner
Tote
Win £1.30
Places £1.20 £1.20
Exacta £2.40
CSF £2.33
Time 5' 52.8"
15:20 Maiden Hurdle 2m 4f
1st 5 Pipe Banner 9/4
2nd4 No Rules 9/1
3rd 3 Little Eaglet 9/1
9 Ran
Distances 2½ & 3¼
Fav 2 Dorothy’s Friend 7/4 (4th)
Tote
Win £3.50
Places £1.50 £2.40 £2.50
Exacta £31.20
CSF £22.56
Time 5' 19.4"
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