THE WEST NORFOLK and NORTH NORFOLK – FAKENHAM
Sunday March 22nd 2026
1.00 Conditions (Level 1) – 10 entries
Many of these have options, not only here but at other meetings over the weekend. Cheytac is not in that catergory, and this 7yo is the youngest entrant in the contest. He was an impressive winner last time out at Kingston Blount, on his first start since a wind-op.
He is progressive and won the restricted on this card last season. The Big Lense is one of the senior members in this, but is very useful, and unbeaten in four starts pointing, he won the Mixed Open on this card last season. He gets in here unpenalised on this his seasonal debut, and sets the standard. My Gift To You, like The Big Lense, is trained by Jenny Owen. He’s won 8 times under rules including 5 chases, and has no stamina worries. Cape Vidal was a bumper and hurdle winner under rules when trained by Anthony Honeyball. He was collared close home when short-headed on his pointing debut at Larkhill. Home Free won off a mark of 119 when completing a double a double in autumn 2024 for Dan Skelton. He ran perfectly well when 3rd on his return from a lengthy absence at Higham last month, but has stamina to prove. Senior Citizen is lightly raced in the last 2 seasons, but has won on both his outings in points in the last two seasons, both at Higham. This looks a tougher assignment though. Whizz Kid is a winner on the flat and over hurdles. Placed in 3 of his 5 starts over fences he’s looking for a first win since October 2023. Shadows In The Sky has won 3 chases, and was placed in a chase over 3m5f on the national hunt course here in December. Another Mystery has a couple of hurdle wins on his cv, but needs to step up on his pointing form to take a hand here.
Selection: The Big Lense Alternative: Cheytac
1.35 Conditions (Level 3) – 7 entries
An entry of seven for this conditions race. It’s hard to look away from Entity of Substanz who’s chasing a 5 timer coming into this race. The Gina Andrews trained gelding has won 4 races this season. On his most recent start at Kingston Blount late last month he beat All Loved Up by 4L, with recent High Easter winner Commander Of Ten ¾ L back in 3rd. The Nick Wright yard have Clashhill entered in this, but they have yet to register a winner this season. He’s been runner up on both starts this season, most recently when going down by 7L to Largy Pearl at Brocklesby Park 4 weeks ago. Ed Turner’s Ampton stable have two entries in this. Good Source, the mount of Charlotte Butler won a Hunter Chase here last season when beating Get Bye 2 ¼ L. On his most recent outing he was 3rd and last at High Easter earlier this month beaten 23L behind I’m Spellbound in a Ladies’ Conditions race. The other Turner runner is Mister Splash with Paddy Barlow jocked up. He was 3rd at Ampton on his only start this season when going down by 14L to Call Me Early three weeks ago. My Gift To You was previously trained by James Owen but now runs for Jenny Owen. He’s an 8 time winner under rules including here when ridden by Lilly Pinchin in November 2023 when beating School For Scandal by 4 ½L. His last win under rules was in September last year when he won a Warwick handicap hurdle under Alex Chadwick beating Prince De Jeuilly by 3L. Police Academy from the Kelly Morgan yard is a 3 time rules winner for Feargal O’Brien but her last win was in October 2023 when scoring in a Ludlow mares handicap hurdle when beating Regal Renaissance by 4 ¼L. Her most recent NH form was not inspiring however. Mylesfromwicklow was with Dan Skelton under rules and registered two wins. Now trained by Stuart Morris, he pulled up at Larkhill on his stable debut last month and is probably best watched if running today.
Selection: Entity Of Substanz            Alternative: Clashhill
2.10 Restricted – 10 entries
10 entries with 8 rated in the 90’s. 8yr. Atlantic Fleet from the Turner yard won a Hunt race at Ampton in 2024 but struggled in subsequent Restricteds and was a distance behind Cash or Card on his last run at Dingley in May and again was a distant 3rd in the Jan. Horseheath Restricted but came good in the Restricted at Ampton when left in the lead at the last so a place beckons but a 5lb. penalty will be a challenge. Another from the Turner yard 9 yr. Graveside Lad pu in the Jan. but was 2nd in 3 Restricted runs following a Maiden win at Higham last season and another 8l 2nd at High Easter in March indicates ability. 6yr. Ice Prowler from the Padfield yard took the Ampton Maiden in March now up in grade but with Gina up a place finish is possible. Main Stage from the Andrews yard benefits from a 7lb. allowance but has not run for 14mts. when 2nd to Chashhill at Horseheath so may need the run and will Gina take this ride or Ice Prowler? 7yr. Monrocco Moonlight from the Hill yard has a 5lb. penalty for his win in the 9 runner Charing Restricted in Dec. but was 2nd. in the Higham Restricted to Practice Run so a place or better is feasible. 7yr. Pillar To Post from the Kelly Morgan yard won the Jan. Revesby Park Maiden but weakened to a pu in the Feb. Brocklesby Park Restricted. First run of the season for 8yr. Steppingstone from the Wright yard 1st. or 2nd. on 3 completed runs last season and another with a 5lb penalty but may need this run.
Selection: Monrocco Moonlight          Alternative: Ice Prowler
2.45 Mixed Open – 9 entries
The Mixed Open race could see Fumet d’Oudairies run in East Anglia for the first time since winning at Horseheath in December 2022. He was next seen on a racecourse in September 2024, when he finished 2nd in a Hurdle race at Bangor. Another 16 months elapsed before Fumet d’Oudairies was next in action, in a Conditions race at Sheriff Hutton, which he won by a length from Yippee Ki Yay. A second run followed at Alnwick last month where he finished behind Eastern Storm in a Mixed Open race. Stable companion Master Templar is also entered. Runner-up to Innisfree Lad at Cocklebarrow on his first start this season, Master Templar reversed the form on his next start when winning the four mile Mixed Open race at Kingston Blount. Aramax had been placed on his first three starts this season, behind Givega, Designed To Win and Fier Jaguen, before winning a two horse Mixed Open at Guilsborough. Shentri has either won or unseated his rider on all four starts this season. His two wins both came at Ampton, beating Tullys Touch on both occasions. Cape Vidal was denied victory at Larkhill in the dying strides on his first start in a point having been on the sidelines since August 2024, and another pointing debutant, Home Free, finished third on his first start at Higham behind Aramax. The Big Lense, who has yet to run this season, won this race last year on his first start of the season, defeating his stablemate Aramax in the process. He went on to win a further two points before finishing second in a two mile Hunter Chase at Stratford.
Selection: Fumet d’Oudairies           Alternative: The Big Lense
3.20 Conditions (Level 2) 9 yo & up – 8 entries
No Risk Des Flos won the equivalent race on last year’s card and a mistake at the last fence, a fortnight ago at High Easter, was decisive in his defeat by Commander Of Ten. The Big Lense would have to carry a 10lb penalty in this race and is likely to be declared in an alternative contest. The same applies to Senior Citizen who has another option on the card to carrying 5lb extra here. Fame and Concrete never runs a bad race and won twice last season. Envious Editor was no match for Fier Jaguen at Ampton whilst Twenty Twenty was well beaten on his seasonal debut at the same course. Whizz Kid is starting off in points after 4 hurdle wins from 27 starts under rules, the last success came back in October 2023 when formerly trained by Dr. Richard Newland and is now owned and trained by the Norfolk-based Hammond Family.
Selection: No Risk Des Flos         Alternative: Fame And Concrete
3.55 Maiden – 6 entries
Six runners could line up and it looks a competitive enough contest on paper. Harpers Creek produced his best effort to date last time out and, if able to turn out again in the same vein, looks capable of sneaking into the frame, particularly if the race develops to suit his running style. Diamond des Flos, now a 10-year-old maiden, appears to be on the downgrade overall; although he ran his best race for some time when finishing second on his latest start, he still looks vulnerable to any rivals with scope for progress. Dr Doodlebug shaped well when finishing third last time and, with a repeat of that performance, he should be firmly in the mix once again and not far away at the finish. L’Hybris Is Born was disappointing when pulled up on his most recent outing, but his earlier debut effort suggests there is ability there, and if he can bounce back to that level, he would hold a strong chance in a race of this nature. Lightspeedahead has failed to complete on both starts this season, which raises obvious concerns, but his jumping remains a major asset; if he can get into a smooth early rhythm on what is likely to be quick ground—possibly even on the firm side—this track could play to his strengths and he might prove difficult to reel in from the front. Red Letter Day arrives on the back of a solid second-place finish and, if reproducing that level of form, looks to have every chance of going one better or, at the very least, being closely involved in the finish.
Selection: Lightspeedahead           Alternative: Red Letter Day
Overview
Race 1: The Big Lense / Cheytac
Race 2: Entity Of Substanz / Clashhill
Race 3: Monrocco Moonlight / Ice Prowler
Race 4: Fumet d’Oudairies / The Big Lense
Race 5: No Risk Des Flos / Fame And Concrete
Race 6: Lightspeedahead / Red Letter Day