West Norfolk
Fakenham
Sunday 27th April 2008
by "The Pub Team"
Courtesy of PointingEA

Advanced Going: - Good

Norfolk here we come, for our annual pilgrimage to the most pleasant of racecourses, Fakenham. Always a good day out and although there are only 91 entries the quality looks high in both the Open races. Maybe it’s due to the fact that there are meetings at Guilsborough and Garthorpe this weekend that the entries are down. There were 55 runners at High Easter last weekend, maybe as the season nears the end we are simply running out of horses. The weather forecast is quite encouraging for the weekend, can remember some fantastic days at Fakenham for this meeting and some pretty horrible ones. Whatever, it would appear that this is a pretty good card and some fine racing is virtually assured.

2.00 p.m. Hunt Members (with North Norfolk) Members – 7 entries
Ballyowen comes to this race fresh from winning an Intermediate at Marks Tey last weekend, also won a Restricted at Horseheath back in February. We’ve mentioned Comeonourfella a few times this season as we felt that connections were hoping for bigger things, only had one run this year when was pulled up, would appear to have to wait until next season now. Jerry’n See More won a Maiden at Marks Tey in early April, finished 4 th in a Restricted at High Easter last week, would need to improve further to win here. Nokimover has been placed six times this season and a win still eludes him, could well be here. Will we see the V-J brothers compete against each other, would be interesting. Manoram and Only Once could run into a place if any of those mentioned above fail to turn out - that will be their only hope.

Selection: Ballyowen (Nokimover)

2.35 p.m. Confined Conditions - 12 entries
Bunratty’s Sole was 3 rd last time out in a Confined at Marks Tey, 2 nd was Good Vintage; previous to that won on the same course with Good Vintage in 2 nd; in 3 rd place was Dr Julian who hasn’t run since. Good Vintage’s last run was at the Oakley two weeks ago where he won the Hunt Race, has played a part of Georgina Andrews’ success in this her first season. King Plato is still the highest rated in this race but has had no success this year pulling up three times and ran out once, still has ability to win a race. Rooster hasn’t run since the first week in March when finished 3 rd at Higham and was 3 rd also at Cottenham before that both in Mens Opens. Saafend Rocket has had some form this year, was 4 th last time out in a Hunt race at Higham. Took My Eye won a Restricted at Higham two weeks ago and that was a considerable improvement on his previous run at Horseheath; moving up in class but would not be without a chance here if maintains improvement. Top Boots could only finish 6 th last week at High Easter, was 2 nd in Hunt race there at the previous meeting.

Selection: Took My Eye (Good Vintage)

3.10 p.m. Restricted – 20 entries
Balableu was 2 nd to Halcyon Times at Catsfield last time out, pulled up twice before that, won its Maiden at Detling in January is from a good yard. Comeonourfella and Jerry’n See More have both been mentioned in the Hunt race and would appear to have a better chance there, are from the same yard so presumably one will run in this race. Kommetjie has only had one run winning a Maiden at Parham last Saturday started as favourite, Nick Pearce would love to bring one up from the South East area to’ nick the spoils’. Laharna was 2 nd to Took my Eye at Higham, 4 th at Cottenham before that and 2 nd also at Higham previously. Mid Div and Creep was 2 nd last week at High Easter to Thatmakestwoofus, won a Mares Maiden at Horseheath in February. Nomadic Blaze has been 2 nd in two Restricted races at Marks Tey this year, did win its Maiden there also, 5 th in the Restricted last week but will probably appear here if sound. Anthony Howland Jackson has had some deserved success over the past two weeks, he has Siam de Baune entered here who won at Higham and would stand a fair chance of being placed in this company. Sironi was a 16/1 winner of the Maiden last week at High Easter. Supa Tramp has only had one run this year when winning a Maiden at Charing last month, only five runners but did win easily. The Turners have The Right Peopleentered, has been placed, last time 3 rd to Took my Eye at Higham and they are certainly in form now.

Selection; Kommetjie (Laharna)

3.45 p.m. Mens Open - 15 entries
This would be a cracking race if the main protagonists appeared. There are three top class entries and another three or four who need considering. Rydal Park started the season winning its Maiden at Higham, has progressed to win an Open at Horseheath and winning a Hunter Chase at Towcester that is amazing progress in such a short time, if you can remember anything similar we would be interested to hear, please post on message board. Honourable Spider was beaten last time out in the soft at Aldington, started as the 1/5 favourite; has won two Mens open races in the SE this season. Kadount, from the Tuner yard, has progressed during the season to win the Mens Open at Higham two weeks ago quite easily from AnotherDude. Another from the Turner yard Thoutmosis gave Ed Turner his first winner last week in the Open at Parham, previously had won an Open at Ampton. Caveman has been a model of consistency has won four races year including an Open at Marks Tey where Thoutmosis was 2 nd. Bob Justice did beat Caveman into 2 nd in a CA Club Members race at Higham in early March. Of the others, Serpentine Rock is one to watch although probably not good enough in this company. Brown Teddy has been 2 nd on last two outings. Let’s hope that this race is as good as the entries would suggest.

Selection: Rydal Park ( Kadount )

4.20 p.m Ladies Open – 17 entries
A good entry here and with the exception of one horse there are several that are similarly rated. The one that stands out from the others is Beet de Bob who has won three Ladies Open races this year all at Higham. Fakenham is not dissimilar to Higham in that it’s relatively flat and therefore will start as favourite. Bering Gifts was 5 th last time when Beet de Bob had its third victory, didn’t have his normal pilot on that occasion, never really got into the race; previously had won two Opens at Kingston Blount and Cottenham. Find me Another has been finding just a few too many in front in the last two races and probably isn’t quite up to winning here. Full Irish has been 2 nd on last three runs, was 2 nd to Parsonhumfrywebber, who sprouted wings last week at High Easter. High Gear has always been considered to have plenty of ability but never really fulfilled; once owned by J P McManus and ridden several times by the great AP, only won twice under rules . Leatherback entered here but hasn’t run since its 2 nd at Cottenham in mid March. Montys Tag would once have been up to winning this and did finish 2 nd in Novice Riders race at Hackwood Park two weeks ago but it may be expecting rather a lot now. Can Scare Lotte progress to this class? Maybe asking a lot; another good win though last week at Chaddesley Corbett. Virgin Soldier has only run once this year, won the Ladies Open at the Burton meeting at Market Rasen in February; has won sixteen races under rules and over £100000 in prize money. Others with reasonable form include Quid Pro Quo, Snob Wells Itsallupintheair

Selection: Beet de Bob (Virgin Soldier)

4.55 p.m. Open Maiden 5yo+ - 20 entries
As was mentioned we are looking forward to the appearance of Clash, this is an interesting prospect. Laguna Beach was 3 rd at Parham in mid March, from a good yard; name has romantic permutations for the owners. Mirage Prince from the Millington yard has finished 2 nd on last two outings both at Higham. Mountain Emperor was 2 nd to Camisky at Higham last time and has shown some form in earlier races this year. Steak N Kidney has had a modicum of success in that was placed 2 nd in a short Maiden at Cottenham but has failed to finish on three other occasions. Si Anthony was 4 th at Higham behind Siam de Baune but was 25 lengths behind the winner. Frozen Assets and Craughwell Suas both pulled up in that race as did Steak N Kidney. Let’s be totally honest, this looks a very moderate race as regards quality but sometimes this type of race turns up a real surprise, let’s hope so.

Selection: Mountain Emperor (Mirage Prince)

The subject for discussion this week on the message board is which horses have risen to win with such style and potential as Rydal Park has done this season, only East Anglian horses. Of course there will be many who can remember but its great to have the old grey matter awakened.

Enjoy some great racing