PREVIEW OF THE WEST & NORTH NORFOLK MEETING BEING HELD AT FAKENHAM RACECOURSE ON SUNDAY MARCH 23rd
By Graham Bishop
The West and North Norfolk meeting takes place at Fakenham racecourse on Sunday, being the only scheduled fixture held in Norfolk, during the East Anglian area season. Racegoers will enjoy all the facilities associated with a professional course and the action commences with two pony races from 12 midday followed by six point-to-point steeplechase races; first at 1pm. This fixture is a month earlier than last year due to the timing of Easter and not to clash with Fakenham’s National Hunt fixtures.
A PPORA Club Members’ conditions race for veteran and novice riders commences the point-to-point action, with the possibility of last year’s winning combination of Cian Murphy and Take To Heart, doubling up this year. If successful, it would be Cian’s third consecutive victory in the race as he also steered Prairie Town to victory in 2023 staging of the contest. The opposition this year looks to be stronger with the likes of recent Ampton victor Captain Biggles, amongst the entries, along with Back Bar, Oscar Robertson, Our Jet, Red Maple and The Composeur who were all placed on their most recent outing as well as Take To Heart’s stable companion Good Source should he run in this contest.
The second race is a Level 3, PPORA Club Members’ Conditions race for which eight entries have been received, in which Good Source has also been entered. Runner-up in this race last season he has been running into form and finished a close 3rd in the East Anglia Conditions race at Ampton, at the beginning of the month. The two horses to have won this season are The Yellow Mini who won at Higham on her first start of the season and Designed To Win who was victorious at Garthorpe.and is unbeaten since joining David Kemp’s stable. Coolagh Park has yet to run this season, but has only once failed to finish in the first three in points last season and his Maiden win around Horseheath in 2021 continues to leave a lasting impression. The Composeur who has been runner-up on both starts also holds an entry in this race as well as his stable companion Somptueux.
The Restricted race includes two horses that won on their latest start. Graveside Lad won his Maiden race around Higham, whilst Tellmesomethingood won a 2 ½ mile Maiden at Charing. Tellmesomethingood’s stable companion Carryonaway is also entered having won his Maiden race last season at Larkhill, but he was well beaten on his seasonal debut in December.
Cheytac won an Irish Maiden race in October and has since run twice for his new connections. Most recently he ran well in defeat at Kingston Blount behind El Capitaine over 2m 5f, in which Driveondonn finished fourth. A further fourth place finish for Driveondonn followed at High Easter, two weeks ago. Can Daddy Dance finished third at Garthorpe, last month, on his first start since crossing the Irish Sea.
The Mixed Open race has attracted a small yet select number of entries. Captain Biggles, who is also entered in the opening contest is joined by Aramax who is seeking a fifth consecutive win this season and Tullys Touch who is seeking a third win. Loughan, a stablemate of Captain Biggles, has been placed on both starts this season in 2½ mile races. The Big Lense who ran in the Aintree Foxhunter last season would be having his first race since running under rules last summer, and the veteran Caryto des Brosses, winner of 12 points, would also be having his first run since winning at Edgcote last year.
Five of the horses entered in the Veteran Horse conditions race hold alternative engagements on this card, namely Coolagh Park, Hardline, Somptueux, Take To Heart and The Composeur.
Getting Closer, a stable companion of Coolagh Park, is a wonderfully consistent individual who has never finished outside of the first three, when completing the course. Having missed all of last season Getting Closer got off the mark on his seasonal reappearance at Charing last month. Soldier At War has finished second on his last two starts, most recently at Ampton whilst No Risk Des Flos, who was previously in the care of Olly Murphy, was last seen running in a handicap ‘chase at Wetherby in January over 2 ½ miles.
The Nigel Padfield trained Patricks Hill and Validation appear amongst the entries for the Maiden race that concludes the action. Both have finished runner-up on their starts this season, Patricks Hill just being denied at Ampton in early March, whilst Validation led for most of the race at High Easter, a fortnight ago. Easy Rider was pulled up in his most recent race, but prior to that had finished third to Mooserwirt at Brocklesby Park. My Jetta Plane ran a race full of promise at Horseheath at the end of December when she finished fifth. Killomeroe has not built upon the promise shown in Irish points since crossing the Irish sea, whilst Steppingstone who was pulled up on his first outing this season, was previously placed in a couple of Irish bumpers.
A day of action and fun with a dedicated shopping area with trade stands including fashion clothes, country wear and a second-hand tack sale together with food outlets, public bar plus local bookmakers will be in attendance.
Gates open 10.30am and other attractions include a fun dog show from 11.30am (entry on the day) and a children’s play area.
Gate entry £15 per head (cash only), under 16’s free and dogs on short leads, please.
Early bird tickets priced at £12.50 available until 6pm on Saturday March 22nd on
Fakenham racecourse is situated 2 miles west of the town NR21 7NY.
