07:48 It has been dry overnight and the going is Good, with the course reporting a lush covering of grass and they are using a facing line not used since December last year.

09:28 The going stick reading is 7.5

13:26 Good afternoon from Fakenham which is a lovely course, once you get here. A nightmare journey - over 30 miles stuck behind the same lorry.

14:04 Our opening contest is the two mile Prince Of Wales Stand Conditional Jockeys' Selling Handicap Hurdle, with eight off to post.

A few of them were getting a little bit warm in the parade ring. Dear Maurice was a bit of a head shaker and Catawollow was pulling slightly.

A good crowd here this afternoon.

14:10 A reasonable race by Fakenham standards, where Nesno and No Choice set the pace for the first mile before No Choice dropped out tamely.

As they set off on the final circuit Always De One took up a narrow lead, with Pobs Trophy the one providing the greatest opposition and by three out he was in front.

His stablemate, Catawollow, who had been settled in rear was the only challenger to Pobs Trophy as they turned for home. Catawollow put in the better leap at the last and pulled clear on the run-in to record a length and a half victory, giving Richard Guest a 1-2.

It was seventeen lengths back to the remainder with a close finish for minor honours. Third place went to Dear Maurice, with Always De One a neck back and the same distance back to Nesno.  

14:34 Race two is the SIS Handicap Chase over the extended three miles with five off to post.

The old dog, Pairc Na Gcapall is tossing his head about in the parade ring. The remainder look to be nothing special. 

14:53 In truth not really much of a race with the only drama coming when Pheidias unseated David England at the first.

The rest of the race can be summed up as My Moment made all, with McCoy chasing on  a tired, poor jumping, Court Red Handed.

They came home 27 lengths clear of Pairc Na Gcapall who just headed No Panic on the run-in.

Not much else to say really. 

15:08 Another five runner contest for the 2½ mile Joanne Banks Lifetime In Racing Novices's Hurdle.

One horse looks head and shoulders above the others and that is the favourite Mush Mir.

15:27 The third race ended up as yet another procession as Mush Mir made all under champion jockey AP McCoy, coming home a 23 length winner for odds-on backers.

Second favourite, Russian Flag, was within a couple of lengths of the leader turning out of the back straight but was soon tiring.

It was a further 31 lengths back to third placed Monroe Park who walked across the line, allowing Black Cache to get within three quarters of a length.

The only "casualty" in the contest was Lieutenant Dan who pulled up after the eighth. 

15:41 Our second race over the larger obstacles is the Northern Norfolk Novices' Chase over the extended 2m 5f, with six off to post.

Nothing really caught the eye in the parade ring.

15:51 Best looking going down was one of the outsiders Road Track Bob.

16:02 At least we had a lead change in this contest, after the last couple of processions.

Road Train Bob and Alfloramoor shared the early pace until Road Train Bob went clear after the eight fence.

As they passed the post going out on the final circuit Road Train Bob had been rejoined by Alforamoor , with Bottman and Flichity not far behind.

It was at this point Whispering Jack waved the white flag.

Road Train Bob made a blunder which saw him go from first to last as they traversed the twelfth fence, although he dis carry on for another two fenced before pulling up.

The blunder handed the lead to Bottman, who was chased by the favourite Get It On but the chase was in vain and Bottman came home eight lengths clear of the jolly.

Afloramoor was the only other finisher, 59 lengths behind, after Flichity unseated three out. 

16:19 Race five is the two mile Eric Osben Memorial Handicap with five off to face the starter.

Another race with no paddock clues. I am a bit surprises Saute is so short as he needs a break between his runs and he ran in a charity race at Ffos Las recently which does not show in his form.

16:35 Saute sizzles in this race as he makes all to take the spoils, although it is one of those "what if" contests as Chicklemix fell at the sixth flight when moving into a challenging position.

This left Saute well clear and although Smak That made an attempt to reel him in it was all in vain as Saute came home six lengths clear of Smack That who took the runners-up spot.

Tinseltown was a further 15 lengths behind in third, whilst Dormouse lived up to his name coming home  

16:55 The final contest over obstacles is the Fakenham Supports Racing Welfare Handicap Chase with nine off to post for the extended 2m 5f contest.

17:13 Another decisive winner as Jack Doyle rides a tactical race on Investment Affair to record a seven length victory.

Settled in third or fourth place for most of the contest he made steady progress on the final circuit before jumping into the lead at the open ditch, two from home.

As they turned for home Doyle gave a shake of the reins and it was race over. He was chased home by Galley Slave, another doing his best work in the closing stages.

Reelwill, winner of this race last season, had to settle for third this season, despite being with the pace and sitting on the quarters of long time leader Eco Boxer, who faded late on.

All credit to Hopeand who was tailed off from early on and came home in his own time some 31 seconds or 156 lengths behind the winner. 

17:29 Amid reports that jockeys at Newbury and Doncaster have voted to strike we come to our final contest, the Fakenham Intermediate Open NH Flat Race over two miles with 12 off to post.

Billy Blade fly kicking on way to post, Showmanship also a poor mover to post.

17:40 Showmanship may have been a poor mover to post but he did nothing wrong in the race, making all despite being a scratchy mover to the start.

Rich Maid came late to grab second spot but was only able to get within seven lengths of the winner.

Thomas Morgan came home third, a further 1¾ lengths in arrears.

17:46 That's it from a good afternoon at Fakenham a course it is always nice to arrive at, just a shame the journey is a pain in the butt.

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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

Results

14:10 Handicap Hurdle 2m

14:45 Handicap Chase 3m 110yds

15:20 Novices' Hurdle 2m 4f

15:55 Novices' Chase 2m 5f 110yds

16:30 Handicap Hurdle 2m

17:05 Handicap Chase 2m 5f 110yds

17:35 NH Flat 2m

12 Run