October 14 / 14.05 Fakenham

14.05

Good

Paddy Power Handicap Chase (Fakenham Double Up Bonus Race)

  • Prize money: £15575.56
  • 3m 0f 38y
  • Class 3
  • 8 runners
RTV
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Paddy Power Handicap Chase (Fakenham Double Up Bonus Race)

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

4/1 (Won)

  • Win: £5.10
  • Place: £1.50

Form: F23331

Last run: 11 days

W: 10st 4lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
Four-time hurdles winner who made it 13th time lucky over fences when winning a conditional jockeys' event under Luke Scott at Stratford (2m7f, good) 11 days ago; races off the same mark (5lb higher in future) and a big player for last year's winning stable.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

9th Jul 2023

Good

2m 5f 89y

Class 3

16:40 Market Rasen

Shetland Bus

11st 6lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Dr Richard Newland

prominent, outpaced and dropped to last 3 out, left in fourth last, went third run-in

11/2

2nd

2

3rd Jul 2023

Good

3m 0f 60y

Class 4

14:25 Southwell

Shetland Bus

11st 8lb

J: Luke Scott

T: Dr Richard Newland

took keen hold, prominent, pressed leader 7th, led 9th, pushed along after 3 out, ridden approaching last, headed final 110yds, no extra towards finish

5/1

3rd

3

3rd Jun 2023

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

14:35 Worcester

Shetland Bus

11st 13lb

J: Lee Edwards

T: Dr Richard Newland

Won two in a row last October (2m6f/3m, good) but this 10yo has been a long way below that level this spring and hopes are pinned on the first-time visor turning things around (replacing tongue-tie/cheekpieces).

11/2

4/1

  • Place: £2.00

Form: P9335-

Last run: 189 days

W: 11st 8lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 134

Form & Verdict
Has run a stack of fine races at a very high level over fences in recent years and was last seen finishing fifth of the 29 runners in the Topham at Aintree (2m5f, good to soft) in April; however, he has gone 22 starts without a win since making a successful chase debut at Warwick four years ago; likely to find a few too good again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

28th Jan 2023

Soft

2m 4f 127y

Class 1

13:50 Cheltenham

Spiritofthegames

10st 10lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Has plenty of C&D form, including placed efforts in this race in 2020 and 2022; however, may need further now as his best efforts this term have come over 3m/3m2f; no win since 2018.

20/1

7th

6

1st Jan 2023

Good

3m 2f 70y

Class 2

12:45 Cheltenham

Spiritofthegames

11st 6lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

The lack of a win since 2018 is the big disincentive but he usually runs well at Cheltenham and last month it was when upped to 3m2f on good (goes well on soft over shorter); often wears cheekpieces (not last time) but now tries blinkers; should again finish on the premises.

7/1

2nd

6

9th Dec 2022

Good

3m 2f 0y

Class 1

14:25 Cheltenham

Spiritofthegames

11st 6lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Well-held sixth in the Grand Sefton at Aintree last month; has plenty of placed form off higher marks, albeit over 2m4f, at this track; stamina to prove over this new trip and long losing run continues.

8/1

Form: 56-F14

Last run: 94 days

W: 10st 13lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Returned to winning form when grinding out success at Worcester (2m7f, good) in June, but finished a long way behind The Vollan when fourth of five at Southwell (3m, good) the following month; had an excuse as he bled from the right nostril, but although he has run well fresh before he may just come on a bit for this.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

9th May 2025

Good

2m 5f 89y

Class 5

15:15 Market Rasen

Topofthecotswolds

11st 13lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Ollie Pears

Once useful for Nigel Twiston-Davies but his long losing run has continued for current yard and ran no more than okay in the first-time visor at Kelso 17 days ago; others appeal more.

10/1

4th

2

9th May 2025

Good

2m 5f 89y

Class 5

15:15 Market Rasen

Topofthecotswolds

11st 13lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Ollie Pears

in rear

10/1

4th

1

22nd Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

15:40 Kelso

Topofthecotswolds

12st 0lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Ollie Pears

Useful over several seasons when trained by Nigel Twiston-Davies; signed off for him with some below-par runs in the autumn and made low-key start for new stable this year but significant positives can be drawn from his run in refitted cheekpieces at Sedgefield (3m2f, good) last month and he has possibilities here if combination of drop back in trip and first-time visor pays dividends.

9/1

Form: 23P1-1 CD

Last run: 164 days

W: 10st 13lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Has won six of his last ten starts over hurdles/fences and made it 3-3 at this track when taking the Norfolk National (3m5f, good) in May; 5lb higher and not seen since, but is proven fresh and given his liking for this venue he can't be ruled out despite another rise in grade.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

25th May 2026

Good

3m 5f 80y

Class 3

15:58 Cartmel

Tommie Beau

12st 0lb

J: Benjamin Macey

T: Seamus Mullins

No longer the force of old and inconsistent nowadays but he capitalised upon some significant help from the handicapper when winning Norfolk National at Fakenham (3m5f, good) three weeks ago and he is also very well suited by this track.

15/8

1st

3

4th May 2026

Good

3m 5f 24y

Class 3

16:38 Fakenham

Tommie Beau

11st 11lb

J: Benjamin Macey

T: Seamus Mullins

Gained three of his 14 wins here, including 2022 edition of this race, but has regressed and become inconsistent; didn't run badly in last month's Sussex National at Plumpton (3m4f, good; first-time cheekpieces) but younger rivals have much more appealing profiles.

14/1

6th

4

6th Apr 2026

Good

3m 4f 104y

Class 2

16:25 Plumpton

Tommie Beau

11st 2lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Seamus Mullins

He's won here three times and was second in this race in 2024 on his last Plumpton visit; on a reduced mark but this 11yo has struggled to get competitive on his last few starts and needs to turn things around in first-time cheekpieces.

25/1

OUR TIP

Form: 14716- C

Last run: 181 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 140

Form & Verdict
Has proved a real money-spinner for connections having won six of his last nine starts over fences, the latest at Stratford (2m7f, good) in March; not seen since appearing not to stay at Haydock (3m2f, good to soft) the following month, but this trip should be fine on such a sharp track and he is proven fresh; dangerous to dismiss.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

11th Apr 2025

Good

2m 3f 104y

Class 5

16:00 Fontwell

Kap Auteuil

11st 13lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Toby Lawes

took keen hold, in touch with leaders, not fluent 10th

13/2

6th

2

11th Apr 2025

Good

2m 3f 104y

Class 5

16:00 Fontwell

Kap Auteuil

11st 13lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Toby Lawes

took keen hold, in touch with leaders, not fluent 10th

13/2

4th

3

16th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 98y

Class 5

16:47 Chepstow

Kap Auteuil

11st 11lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Toby Lawes

Has looked regressive for a while and fitted with a visor for last two races; the last one was a bit more encouraging but he was still beaten 16l.

12/1

5/1

Form: FP-P31

Last run: 14 days

W: 10st 11lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
Bumper winner in France and dual hurdles winner in Ireland; was returning from four months off when beating two rivals over fences at Fontwell (2m6f, good; stable debut) a fortnight ago; has been left on the same mark, but he still has to prove his stamina for the trip even on a sharp track like this.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

10th Oct 2024

Good

2m 3f 48y

Class 5

16:43 Exeter

Fakir

11st 4lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Tom Lacey

towards rear, reminders after 1st, not fluent and cajoled along 2nd, outpaced 9th

5/1

4th

5

8th Sep 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 104y

Class 4

16:15 Fontwell

Fakir

10st 13lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Tom Lacey

prominent, awkward jump 2nd, not fluent 11th, bad mistake and 2nd, lost ground 3 out, not fluent 2 out, weakened approaching last

7/2

Form: 211251 D

Last run: 12 days

W: 11st 4lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
Very much suited by this sort of trip on a left-handed track as he showed when beating one other finisher at Kelso (2m7f, good) 12 days ago, making it four wins from his last seven starts over fences; 5lb wrong under his penalty, though, and that may leave him vulnerable.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

6

27th Feb 2024

Soft

2m 3f 66y

Class 5

14:20 Catterick

The Vollan

11st 9lb

J: Miss Ellie Callwood

T: L J Morgan

Regressive 10yo who is better known as a staying chaser now; didn't run badly when switched back to hurdling two starts ago (2m7f) and will appreciate today's ease in grade but younger rivals appeal more.

16/1

4th

6

24th Jan 2024

Soft

3m 1f 54y

Class 4

12:50 Catterick

The Vollan

10st 12lb

J: Lewis Dobb

T: L J Morgan

Ran some fair races over fences last autumn but this 10yo is nothing like as good as he was; well beaten back over hurdles last time and others have more going for them.

8/1

5th

6

6th Jan 2024

Soft

2m 7f 149y

Class 3

13:05 Newcastle

The Vollan

10st 11lb

J: Lewis Dobb

T: L J Morgan

10yo who isn't the force of old but ran some fair races over fences in the autumn, most recently third at Musselburgh (2m7f, soft); continues to edge down the weights and might not be far away if the return to hurdling isn't a problem (three wins in this sphere, which he last tackled in May 2022).

9/1

Form: 2P1PP- D

Last run: 329 days

W: 10st 11lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
Made it third time lucky for this yard when beating three rivals over fences at Fontwell (2m6f, good to soft) a year ago, but was pulled up in both subsequent starts; not seen in 11 months and although he has defied a similar absence in the past, this does look a big ask and he could do with some rain.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

3

30th Nov 2023

Good To Soft

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

12:05 Lingfield

Pilbara

11st 11lb

J: Elizabeth Gale

T: Suzy Smith

held up in last

12/1

0

1

20th Nov 2023

Soft

3m 0f 217y

Class 5

15:50 Plumpton

Pilbara

12st 0lb

J: Elizabeth Gale

T: Suzy Smith

took keen hold, held up in rear, stumbled and unseated before 4 out

12/1

9th

8

6th Nov 2023

Good To Soft

2m 4f 114y

Class 4

16:07 Plumpton

Pilbara

11st 7lb

J: Micheal Nolan

T: Suzy Smith

Well handicapped on old form but never really got going last season, and cheekpieces (now removed) did not appear to help much when tried in April; needs to have been revitalised by 197-day break.

25/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £24.80
Straight Forecast £24.80
Tricast £134.97
Trifecta £165.40

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Shetland Bus

TOPSPEED:

Spiritofthegames

Daily Mail:

The Vollan

WEST COUNTRY:

Topofthecotswolds

RP Ratings:

Shetland Bus

POSTDATA:

Shetland Bus

Daily Express:

Shetland Bus

Daily Mirror:

Shetland Bus

The Star:

Shetland Bus

Daily Record:

Shetland Bus

The Times:

Spiritofthegames

Telegraph:

Spiritofthegames

The Guardian:

Spiritofthegames

The Sun:

Spiritofthegames