THE WEST NORFOLK and NORTH NORFOLK – FAKENHAM
Sunday March 23rd 2025
1.00 Conditions (Veteran and Novice Riders) – 11 entries
This race for veteran riders, riders who are 40 years or over and novice riders (at the start of the season have ridden no more than 5 winners under any rules of racing). Captain Biggles hails from the Gina Andrews yard and won on his latest start at Ampton with Gina aboard when he beat Rhythm Is A Dancer by 8L with a possible rival today Take To Heart a further 4L away in 3rd. He’s due to be ridden today by Molly Legg who won her first race at High Easter earlier this month. Rupert Stearn is the most experienced rider in the race with 118 pointing winners and won the Hunter Chase here on 14th March. He’s down to ride two in this. Our Jet, owned by his father Simon and trained by David Kemp. He’s also jocked up on Good Source for the Ed Turner yard. Our Jet would have the better chance. Our Jet was a 4 time winner under rules for Dan Skelton. He was 2nd on his UK pointing debut at Garthorpe going down by 25L to Fier Jaguen in a Mixed Open late last month. Good Source was 3rd at Ampton earlier this month, going down by 1L to Jersey Fromentin in a Conditions race. Take To Heart won this race last season with Cian Murphy aboard and Cian is jocked up again for the Ed Turner trained runner. The Composeur has been 2nd on his two recent starts. He was beaten ¾ L to Chillinlikeavillain at Cocklebarrow under today’s rider Aimee Jones in late January. Red Maple has been placed on both runs this season. He was 3rd at Garthorpe beaten just over 3L behind Mylestown Upper a month ago. No jockey was shown but it’s possible Cian Murphy will ride if Take To Heart doesn’t run. Not That Fuisse beat Precious Bounty at Dingley late last season by 2L when ridden by Gina and trained by her. However Not That Fuisse pulled up on his first start this season at Kimble for new connections. Going may have been against him this day. Precious Bounty won a Novice Riders race at Badbury Rings early in the season by a distance but was well beaten on his most recent outing at Larkhill earlier this month and others are preferred. We will side with experience here and go with Our Jet ridden by the experienced Rupert Stearn. Previous course winner Captain Biggles is our alternative.
Selection: Our Jet Alternative: Captain Biggles
1.35 Conditions (Level 3) – 8 entries
Coolagh Park created a big impression when landing his Maiden at Horseheath in December 2021. He was only seen once the following season (easy Kimble win), but enjoyed a full season in 2023/24. He was consistent in his points, and although only landing a modest contest at Ampton was placed behind useful animals. He is a strong galloper, and ,may find the turns of Fakenham not playing to his strengths. Designed To Win is undefeated in 3 outings since crossing the Irish sea,. He overcame a serious error at the third last to account for Trojan du Berlais at Garthorpe on his seasonal debut in February. On a form line through the Garthorpe runner up he has a bit to find with Coolagh Park, but looks the one to beat here. Good Source was runner up in this last year, behind a David Kemp trained winner, now with Ed Turner he’s gradually coming to hand and will appreciate this easy 3 miles and good ground. The Composeur has plenty of options here and elsewhere this weekend. He’s a front runner, and although rarely finishing out of the first two this looks a tougher race than the ones he’s been competing in. Stable companion Somptueux is also well entered up this weekend. He won over hurdles and fences when trained in Ireland by Henry De Bromhead, and was still trained by the aforementioned when winning and Open point to point at the picturesque Belharbour course in County Clare in February 2023. He was pulled up in a Taunton Hunter chase on his debut for this yard back in January. The Yellow Mini won a Members at Higham, but this looks much tougher under her penalty for that victory.
Selection: Designed To Win Alternative: Coolagh Park
3.10 Restricted – 9 entries
9 entries and with 5 rated over 90 a competitive race is in prospect. Can Daddy Dance from the Padfield yard was a distant 25l. weakening 3rd behind Largy Pearl in the Feb Garthorpe Restricted and will need improvement in this company. Carryonaway from the Hill yard took the 16 runner Larkhill Maiden in Feb. last season but was a very distant 43l 5th. In the Dec Larkhill Restricted and another to possibly struggle in this company. 6yr. Cheytac from the Andrews yard was there with every chance but a mistake at the last meant 2nd. in the Feb. Kinston Blount short Restricted beating Driveondonn by 34l. so watch the market as he’s the highest rated in the race. 6yr. Driveondonn from the Cundy yard well behind in 2 Restricted races this season at both distances so my struggle here but the flat track may suit. Graveside Lad from the Turner yard has come good this season with a comfortable win in the Feb. Higham Maiden but with 6 pu’s and a 2nd in the Maiden on this track last season, view with some caution. Kostantina from the Lutman yard has struggled in Restricted company since winning the Dingley Maiden in 2022 and may do so again here. Maskadam from the Peters yard missed last season but won his Maiden on this track in 2023 so possibly best watched on his first run this season. Shanes Passion from the Pennock yard made all to win the Higham Maiden last season followed by pu’s in 2 Restricted runs, including 1 on this track, so has found racing in a grade up a struggle. Tellmesomethingood another from the Hill yard was weakening and pu in the Dec. Chaddesley Corbett Maiden but came good and comfortably won the Feb. Charing short Maiden – distance may be an issue.
Selection: Cheytac with Gina up Alternative: Maskadam
3.45 Mixed Open – 7 entries
This race exudes quality with all seven entrants capable of securing the win. There is a wealth of successful horses who boast numerous wins and the total number of GB pointing victories for six of the seven entered is a remarkable Forty Five!! Only Hardline has yet to win a GB point but did win 4 in Ireland and trainer Andrew Pennock will have him fully prepared to notch that first win over here. The veteran Caryto Des Brosses has won 12 points and was due for retirement but is now back in training and won the Mens Open at this Fakenham meeting in 2019. Aramax stepped up to Open grade, two weeks ago, and beat Law Of Gold at High Easter and is unbeaten in all four outings this season. Course winner under rules, Tullys Touch, is also in outstanding form, winning both starts this season and has 14 wins in points on his CV. Loughan boasts 9 point wins and holds three entries over the weekend and would be a popular winner, here, for Norfolk owner William Wales. If Loughan isn’t declared then trainer Gina Andrews could saddle another Fakenham course winner, Captain Biggles, a 5-time winner in points who won his latest outing at Ampton, earlier this month. The Big Lense has won 6 times under rules and will give new owner, Simon Stearn, plenty of fun as he is unbeaten in his only run in points when winning the Mixed Open at Higham in February 2024.
Selection: Tullys Touch Alternative: Aramax
4.20 Veteran Horse Conditions – 9 entries
Of the nine entries made for this race, five of them are also entered in earlier races. Getting Closer is the sole entrant that has won a race this season, his victory being gained at Charing on his first start since May 2023. He is ultra consistent, never finishing outside the first three when completing the course. His stable companion Coolagh Park, who is entered in an earlier race, has yet to run this season. His sole victory last season came in a similar contest at Ampton. Both Somptueux and The Composeur hail from the yard of Tommy Morgan and are also entered in earlier races. Somptueux was pulled up in a Hunter Chase on his first run for the stable, whilst The Composeur has finished second on both his starts this season, the most recent was by ¾ length to Chilinlikeavillain at Cocklebarrow. Soldier At War has also finished runner up on his two most recent starts, at Higham behind The Yellow Mini and then at Ampton behind Jersey Fromentin. 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, when fifth to Geryville. An earlier appearance at Warwick saw him finish ten lengths behind L’eau Du Sud who was fourth in the “Arkle” steeplechase at Cheltenham last week.
Selection: Getting Closer Alternative: No Risk des Flos
4.55 Maiden – 8 entries
Easy Rider has been on the go since November placing once in his four starts but does not look strong enough to be involved and is best watched. Killomeroe has his first start for Gina Andrews and is a 10-raced Maiden. He pulled up on his latest start under Rules on his Chase debut, another who is best watched. My Jetta Plane finish 5th on her first start for Andrew Pennock, moved nicely through the race before weakening between the last few fences and a bold bid could be expected. She has not been seen for over two months; we think that could be ground related. With good ground expected she holds a strong chance. Nigel Padfield could saddle two possible runners Patricks Hill finished a head 2nd last time but we think he holds a stronger chance with Validation who also finished 2nd last time out in what looked a strong race, He looked the winner turning for home but was run down by a very well-regarded horse. If he runs to that level again, he could be hard to beat. Pillar Rock disappointed on his first start for new connections and cannot be recommended on that form and is best watched. Secret Plan has pulled up on his first two starts in Points to Points. He led in his last start before weakening quickly. He cannot be discounted as the Turner family have had a magnificent season so far and it would not be a surprise to see an improved effort. Steppingstone is another who cannot be discounted. Pulled up in his first start he led for a circuit and a half before weakening. Stepping up to 3 miles could offer a better chance.
Selection: My Jetta Plane Alternative: Secret Plane
Overview
Race 1: Our Jet / Captain Biggles
Race 2: Designed To Win / Coolagh Park
Race 3: Cheytac with Gina up / Maskadam
Race 4: Tullys Touch / Aramax
Race 5: Getting Closer / No Risk des Flos
Race 6: My Jetta Plane / Secret Plane
