WEST NORFOLK HUNT MEETING –Fakenham

SUNDAY 26^TH April 2010

Advanced Going: Good, Good to Firm

2.00 p.m. Hunt Members (with N Norfolk Harriers) – 7 entries

Only seven entries but this looks a decent little race. Some of the horses are entered in other races but hopefully the organisers will ensure there will be a good few runners. Mill Five Acre won its Maiden last time out at Marks Tey on Easter Monday, this followed 3^rd place at the same track in late March. Nokimover may not be the horse he was but has given connections much fun over several years and would not be without, maybe, a final chance of a win here. Rockfield’s form is summarised in the Maiden race and is tipped to win; connections may prefer to run in this race and would be the probable winner. Toe to Hand and The Fairhill Boy both ran in the same race at Godstone two weeks ago, the former finishing a distance 4^th and the latter unseating its rider.

Selection: Mill Five Acre (Toe to Hand)

2.30 p.m. PPORA Club Members Conditions – 16 entries

An interesting event with a number of raiders destined to do battle with local stars. Dan Kahtan, from the in form Kemp yard impressed with his jumping at Horseheath when easily winning the Restricted Race but he will have more on his plate here and although likely to feature in the finish may find others who are better. An interesting entrant is Distant Memory, this one ran promisingly last time out when 3^rd in an Intermediate race in the North West; from the highly successful Nick Kent yard and likely to be ridden by Simon Walker, this could be more value than the Kemp mount which will probably start as favourite. Duke of Kentford is trained by recently retired top jockey Stuart Morris; last time out, when ridden by Nick Pearce, he had a comfortable victory in a Restricted race but this might just be a bit more challenging. Little Legend is a quirky sort but if in the mood could give a good account of himself although this would be a step up in class; he won a Maiden and Restricted earlier this season but last time out ran out when in the lead - this leaves a big question mark. Native Bob and Cumbo Kid represent the Turner yard but they will only trouble the judge if the field cuts up. The same could be said of both Toe to Hand and Hawaiian Son one of which likely to be ridden by Bridget Andrews. This is a balancing act with a number of likely winners but on balance we will give Distant Memory the nod.

Selection: Distant Memory (Duke of Montford)

3.00 p.m. Restricted – 11 entries

With fifteen entries, several of which having run last week, the following are the entries most likely to declare on the day. Eight year old Cyber Mat (Ire) was 2^nd in the Restricted at Horseheath, finishing six lengths behind favourite Native Bob; this being the only place between the flags from three starts. Simon Andrews trained Crosby won the divided Maiden at North Carlton, the 8yr old then went on to finish 2^nd in the Restricted at Marks Tey last month, just a neck behind outsider Evening Echo. 10yr old Mountain Emperor (Ire), trained by John Ibbott, has had thirteen starts to date and so far this season has managed two 3^rd places at the Restricted level this season, both at the Higham course. Maiden winners worthy of attention include Simon Andrews trained Ballyshambles, was the 2½ mile Maiden winner at North Carlton in February this season in partnership with Bridget Andrews, making the first win from three starts between the flags. Andrew Pennock owned and trained Castledockrell (Ire) won the two horse Maiden at Horseheath in January and is otherwise untested this season. Nick Pearce trained and ridden Peadar (Ire) enters the Restricted class after winning the 2½ mile Maiden at Charing by twenty lengths as 6/4 favourite and looks very promising.

Selection: Crosby (Peadar)

3.30 p.m. Mens Open – 13 entries

This race last season produced one of the most exciting finishes of the season, when five horses finished within 3¾ lengths of each other. The victor was Where’s My Baby’s, who finished strongly to prevail by a head from Go North, with Bob Justice just over two lengths behind in 4^th. Where’s My Baby has had an up and down season this year; a close 2^nd to Start Royal at Cottenham in December was followed by a disappointing run at Higham; bouncing back to form at High Easter he won a Men’s Open ahead of Forget the Ref and Basic Fact, he then ran in the Queen’s Cup Hunter Chase on the NH course at Fakenham, he hit the first fence hard and thereafter never got into contention before falling at the last. Basic Fact followed his run at High Easter with victory in a Novice Rider’s race at Higham, before finishing 3^rd in a similar race at Godstone. More Trouble has not ventured away from Kingston Blount this season; winning his first race of the season, a Confined, he then finished 2^nd in a Men’s Open behind the subsequent winner of the Lady Dudley Cup, Chilling Place. Parrain scored on his debut this season, beating Took My Eye in the Men’s Open at Higham; previously with Francois Doumen, he was a useful performer over hurdles. Itsallupintheair finished 3^rd to Caveman at High Easter last week, and also 3^rd to The Painkiller at Marks Tey over Easter; ahead of him on that occasion was Hidden Talents in 2^nd. Hidden Talents filled the same position at the previous Marks Tey meeting. The Accordion Man’s form has tailed off since being beaten by Took My Eye at Higham. It is highly unlikely that Kadount or Took My Eye will run since they both took part in a Hunter Chase at Southwell on Wednesday.

Selection: Where’s My Baby (Parrain)

4.00 p.m. Ladies – 17 entries

Picabo Kid was a surprise winner of a Hunter Chase here three weeks ago after better fancied horses failed to run to their potential; that said, he thoroughly deserved the win staying on well to finish 11 lengths clear of Kadount. Joe Turner has three horses entered for this but we expect that he will run Assassino who is probably the best suited to the course and going and is clearly in excellent form having defeated Mid Div And Creep last weekend at High Easter. King Du Berlais has run consistently well all season but is more of a stayer and doesn’t possess Assassino’s outright speed; if they run him instead he would also have an excellent chance. The venerable Leatherback would probably find this too hot. We doubt that Mid Div And Creep will appear again so soon. Beet De Bob has run well this season but has so far found a couple of others too good. Badger won a weak Novice Chase here last year and has generally run well in points (won weak Ladies at Charing) but doesn’t appear to possess the speed or stamina of Assassino or King Du Berlais. Delightful Cliche has disappointed recently but stays and would have a chance if the race is run at a good pace. The Accordion Man ran well at Garthorpe last weekend but would prefer more cut in the ground. Roaringwater has ability but couldn’t get near Badger at Charing. Willie Pep finished a close 2^nd behind Deep Purple in a Grade 2 Novice Hurdle at Ascot in 2008 but his career then declined; he’s had a single run in points finishing 4^th in a Confined at Godstone in February. W inning Counsel hasn’t been seen since finishing a distant 2^nd behind Scotland Yard at Higham in early March.

Selection: Assassino/King Du Berlais (Picabo Kid)

4.30. p.m. Open Maiden – 19 entries

A field of 19 for the penultimate Maiden in the area and with a safety factor of 15 a split must be a remote possibility. Rockfield must have a strong chance here, but he also holds an engagement in the opening Members race. The Nibby Bloom trained gelding has been 2^nd on his two previous outings, on his last run he finished 2 lengths behind Coleraine at Marks Tey last month with subsequent winner Mill Five Acre a further 2 lengths behind him; previously he was beaten 8 lengths by Badget Sett in a slowly run Maiden at Horseheath in February. Alflora Dora was sent off favourite on her last run at Brafield on the Green last month but fell 2 fences out when held by the winner; previously she was 3^rd at Brocklesby Park beaten 3 lengths behind Fernandina, she had been 2^nd on her final 2 runs under rules for Alan King and must be in the shake up if turning out here. Lazzari ran last week at Garthorpe and finished 2^nd to Jonny Rye beaten 1½ lengths; he has been consistent and could be given a chance if making a quick reappearance. Thyne Hall also ran last week at High Easter and finished 2^nd beaten 5 lengths to the more experienced Montevideo in the Hunts Members and is steadily improving, he's been placed on all four outings this season. Dalmatian was 2^nd at Horseheath earlier this month beaten 8 lengths by Spotthestripe with Thyne Hall 8 lengths back in 3^rd. Creadon Boy was 2^nd at Higham in March beaten 3 lengths behind Law Court but pulled up at the same course on Easter Saturday in the race won by Lord Prunus. Equality was 3^rd at Higham behind Lord Prunus beaten 8 lengths; as he's from David Kemp's yard he's another who can't be ruled out. Would I Lie to You unseated last week at High Easter in the Maiden when in 2^nd place; he has some form that could give him a squeak in this. Katepast was going well when falling four out at Higham early this month but had shown nothing prior to this all season, however he is a half brother to the useful Katarino and couldn't discounted here. Anamcqueen was 2^nd at Thorpe Lodge on Easter Monday beaten 15 lengths behind Longwood Lad; more maybe required to figure in this. Rockfield Lad must have a strong chance if turning out in this instead of the Members and Alflora Dora if none the worse for her Brafield spill should go close.

Selection: Rockfield (Alflora Dora)

Enjoy some great racing