October 26 / 16.45 Fakenham

16.45

Good

Greene King IPA Handicap Hurdle (Fakenham Double Up Bonus Race)

  • Prize money: £6970.88
  • 2m 0f 3y
  • Class 4
  • 8 runners
RTV
View Course
Greene King IPA Handicap Hurdle (Fakenham Double Up Bonus Race)

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

6/4 (Won)

  • Win: £3.50
  • Place: £1.90

Form: 2411 D

Last run: 38 days

W: 11st 13lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
Has RPRs of 112 (AW) and 106 (turf) to his name on the Flat; successful in 0-105 handicap hurdle at Newton Abbot (2m1f, good) in August; made all to follow up comfortably in a Swedish conditions hurdle (2m3f, good) latest; open to further improvement; big player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

27th Aug 2024

Good To Firm

2m 3f 98y

Class 2

18:25 Stratford

Al Zaraqaan

12st 0lb

J: Jonathan England

T: Sam England

5-9 over fences, the latest win gained in very strongly run race at Cartmel (2m1f, good) in May; well down the field in two competitive contests since but in calmer waters today and has a fighting chance if back on song.

5/1

13th

1

20th Jul 2024

Good

2m 5f 89y

Class 1

15:15 Market Rasen

Al Zaraqaan

12st 0lb

J: Jonathan England

T: Sam England

Flat background; made a successful return to fences (fifth win in this discipline) at Cartmel (2m1f, good) and didn't give himself a chance at Uttoxeter by racing too freely; wouldn't be a certain stayer over this far.

12/1

12th

2

30th Jun 2024

Good

1m 7f 214y

Class 2

14:25 Uttoxeter

Al Zaraqaan

11st 12lb

J: Jonathan England

T: Sam England

Returned from break with two low-key Flat runs this year but came from behind to win Cartmel chase (2m1f, good) comfortably by 6l when back over jumps last month; was probably flattered by the way that very strongly run race panned out but is now 5-7 over fences (including a C&D win).

5/1

OUR TIP

3/1

  • Place: £1.40

Form: 2221-2 D BF

Last run: 174 days

W: 11st 12lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
Got off the mark over hurdles at the fifth attempt with a comfortable success in a Plumpton maiden (2m, good) in April; bettered that when 6l second from this mark on his handicap debut at Huntingdon next time; returns fit from a placed run on the Flat; in the mix.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

29th Aug 2026

Good

2m 1f 46y

Class 3

15:53 Cartmel

Saligo Bay

11st 10lb

J: Jonathan England

T: Sam England

Won five times over hurdles (once over C&D) and three times on the Flat last year; quite versatile regarding ground but has been safely held on both starts this summer (hurdle/Flat) and current mark probably demands a personal-best.

20/1

8th

3

(1)

2nd Aug 2026

Good

1m 2f 70y

Class 4

16:52 Chester

Saligo Bay

10st 0lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Sam England

Progressive form under both codes last year included a 1m4f course win; quiet return to jumping at Cartmel two weeks ago but that was after a lengthy break and he's on better Flat mark than he is over hurdles.

4/1

8th

2

18th Jul 2026

Good

2m 1f 46y

Class 3

15:10 Cartmel

Saligo Bay

11st 12lb

J: Miss Heidi Palin

T: Sam England

Progressive on the Flat and over hurdles last year, collecting eight wins (one over C&D) in total; absent since respectable fifth in Scottish County Hurdle at Musselburgh (1m7f, good to soft) in January, though, and current mark demands another personal best.

14/1

Form: 2921-7 D BF

Last run: 170 days

W: 12st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Dual Irish point winner (eighth and ninth starts); scored on his third hurdles start, at Southwell (2m, good) in April; unable to back that up over same C&D when last seen; may still have more to offer from this mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

1

23rd Aug 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

14:38 Worcester

Coastguard Station

12st 2lb

J: David Noonan

T: Henry Oliver

Fairly treated and some fair efforts at 2m4f/2m5f before struggling back over 2m in a Class 2; that's readily forgiven and he'll probably run well.

10/1

6th

4

28th Jun 2026

Good

1m 7f 214y

Class 2

14:52 Uttoxeter

Coastguard Station

11st 3lb

J: David Noonan

T: Henry Oliver

Campaigned over longer trips since September but effective at 2m previously; currently in a consistent vein of form and looks attractively treated, having scored twice off current mark last year; landed this contest in 2024 to boot and holds a fighting chance.

15/2

2nd

1

31st May 2026

Good

2m 5f 44y

Class 3

16:37 Fakenham

Coastguard Station

12st 0lb

J: David Noonan

T: Henry Oliver

Good-ground specialist who was a course winner in 2024 and returns here after two good efforts this spring, the latter a close fourth at Aintree (2m4f, good) 16 days ago; respected.

3/1

Form: 565-

Last run: 295 days

W: 10st 11lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Triple Flat winner at up to 1m4f (all on a sound surface, fair form) this year; well beaten in three hurdle starts last season; bit to prove returning to this sphere from what looks a stiff mark on what he has achieved but he's worth a market check.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

(1)

28th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 1f 11y

Class 5

19:28 Goodwood

Pride Of Nepal

11st 1lb

J: Miss Brodie Hampson

T: Tony Carroll

Reeled off a four-timer in May/June (1m2f-1m4f on ground ranging from good to soft to good to firm); those wins came at Class 6 level and she has been beaten twice in a higher grade since; 12lb higher than when winning this race in 2024; cheekpieces back on for the first time since February.

10/1

4th

1

(2)

9th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 5

17:01 Chepstow

Pride Of Nepal

9st 9lb

J: Donagh Murphy

T: Tony Carroll

Retains plenty of vitality aged eight but completed his May/June four-timer in Class 6 and was soundly beaten when back up in grade last time; current mark leaves him in a difficult spot.

8/1

16/1

Form: 1236 D

Last run: 33 days

W: 11st 8lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Won a Stratford novices' hurdle (2m, good) on debut in June; matched that form under a penalty back over same C&D next time but well beaten in two handicaps since; dropped 3lb.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

4

20th Jul 2023

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

18:45 Worcester

Rafiki

11st 3lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: James Owen

Two runs for this yard; pulled up on Stratford debut (favourite) and well beaten (behind Turpin Gold) at Uttoxeter latest; aids left off and Harry Cobden takes over but deal to prove on recent evidence.

20/1

7th

4

2nd Jul 2023

Good

1m 7f 168y

Class 5

17:00 Uttoxeter

Rafiki

11st 10lb

J: Mr Alex Chadwick

T: James Owen

Flat/hurdles winner for Alan King; didn't live up to market expectations at Stratford (2m2f) on debut for new stable, having pulled too hard; however, may settle better with hood now added and current mark is very workable; one to consider.

8/1

2

20th Jun 2023

Good

2m 2f 148y

Class 5

14:40 Stratford

Rafiki

11st 12lb

J: Ben Bromley

T: James Owen

Dual AW winner who made a successful start over hurdles here last June (2m); however he achieved little in handicaps subsequently and left Alan King for £11,000; hard to assess on debut for new yard with tongue-tie fitted.

4/1

Form: 42/355

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 106

Form & Verdict
0-9 over hurdles; well treated on his running here (2m4f, good to soft) in December 2020; below that level in three starts since resuming from a lengthy absence in August; looks in need of more than this 3lb drop on that evidence.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

5

26th Oct 2022

Good

2m 0f 3y

Class 4

16:45 Fakenham

First Soldier

11st 10lb

J: Luke Scott

T: Dr Richard Newland

led, headed and lost two places when prominent 3rd, ridden and lost position before 3 out, soon well held

16/1

5th

2

8th Oct 2022

Good To Soft

2m 4f 28y

Class 4

15:34 Hexham

First Soldier

11st 4lb

J: Cillin Leonard

T: Dr Richard Newland

towards rear, headway into midfield after 2 out (usual 3 out), ridden before last, made no telling impression

6/1

Form: 11512- BF

Last run: 219 days

W: 11st 11lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Won three of his last five starts last season over 2m3f or further; resumes on same mark as when beaten favourite at Plumpton (3m1f, good) in March; bit to prove over significantly shorter trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

13th Feb 2024

Soft

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

15:35 Lingfield

Legal Rights

11st 10lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Toby Lawes

Six wins on Flat and over hurdles but ended his time with Gary Moore on a low note and little sign of a revival for new yard; limited appeal with first-time visor replacing cheekpieces and tongue-tie discarded.

12/1

8th

1

22nd Jan 2024

Good

2m 4f 114y

Class 5

15:55 Plumpton

Legal Rights

12st 0lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Toby Lawes

Became disappointing for Gary Moore last season (often racing lazily) and was safely held on stable debut at Huntingdon (3m1f, good to soft; first-time cheekpieces) in November; subsequent wind op might have helped but others look less risky.

16/1

Form: 2215 D

Last run: 12 days

W: 10st 2lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

25th Nov 2023

Good

3m 1f 10y

Class 5

11:50 Huntingdon

Anger Management

11st 4lb

J: Dylan Whelan

T: John Ryan

Inconsistent and unraced beyond 2m4f but was found to be lame when well beaten here last month and he scored at Bangor (2m3f, good) the time before; won here (2m, good) last season and not written off today.

7/1

5th

5

10th Oct 2023

Good

2m 3f 137y

Class 5

15:45 Huntingdon

Anger Management

11st 7lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: John Ryan

Has very mixed record since winning four-runner juvenile hurdle here a year ago but doubled his tally with hard-fought success at Bangor (2m3f, good) last month and has the services of Sean Bowen again here.

5/1

Non-runners

Anger Management

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £7.80
Straight Forecast £8.75
Tricast £28.51
Trifecta £30.50

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Al Zaraqaan

Daily Mail:

Saligo Bay

TOPSPEED:

Coastguard Station

POSTDATA:

First Soldier

Daily Record:

Saligo Bay

RP Ratings:

Al Zaraqaan

LAMBOURN:

Al Zaraqaan

The Times:

Al Zaraqaan

Telegraph:

Al Zaraqaan

The Guardian:

Al Zaraqaan

D Express:

Al Zaraqaan

Daily Mirror:

Al Zaraqaan

The Sun:

Al Zaraqaan

The Star:

Al Zaraqaan