May 04 / 16.38 Fakenham

16.38

Good

Chestnut Group Norfolk National Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £13007.5
  • 3m 5f 24y
  • Class 3
  • 10 runners
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Chestnut Group Norfolk National Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

14/1 (Won)

  • Win: £5.50
  • Place: £1.90

Form: 45686- CD

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 11lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 122

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

1

18th Jul 2026

Good

2m 6f 31y

Class 3

15:47 Cartmel

Tommie Beau

12st 0lb

J: Benjamin Macey

T: Seamus Mullins

Popular veteran who runs this track well and capitalised upon some significant help from the handicapper when winning Norfolk National at Fakenham (3m5f, good) in May; this drop back in trip is not ideal on his return to hurdling, though; cheekpieces (worn for last three races) left off today.

10/1

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

5/1

  • Place: £1.70

Form: P5211- CD

Last run: 13 days

W: 10st 8lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Revitalised 9yo who won stylishly on good ground over C&D and at Ffos Las (3m) last month; contests a much stronger race today but still needs to be taken very seriously in current mood.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

5

30th May 2026

Good To Firm

3m 3f 119y

Class 3

19:20 Stratford

Esperti

11st 2lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: David Rees

Has returned to form of late and gained his fifth chase success, at Ffos Las (3m, good) last month; there was no disgrace in finishing second to a resurgent Tommy Beau at Fakenham (3m5f, good) this month and he holds strong claims while in this form.

2/1

2nd

9

4th May 2026

Good

3m 5f 24y

Class 3

16:38 Fakenham

Esperti

10st 8lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: David Rees

Revitalised 9yo who won stylishly on good ground over C&D and at Ffos Las (3m) last month; contests a much stronger race today but still needs to be taken very seriously in current mood.

5/1

1st

6

21st Apr 2026

Soft

2m 7f 177y

Class 5

18:42 Ffos Las

Esperti

11st 5lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: David Rees

In-form 9yo who won four-runner marathon at Fakenham (3m5f, good) in pretty good style last week; also very well suited by this C&D and ground slower than good; respected under 7lb penalty.

4/1

OUR TIP

4/1

  • Place: £1.80

Form: 43612- CD

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 12lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
Won this race in 2025 (good ground) and returned to form towards end of last season, latterly when second to recent big-race winner Havaila in Sussex National at Plumpton (3m4f, good); high on the list.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12

18th Jul 2026

Good

2m 5f 89y

Class 1

14:45 Market Rasen

Stans The Man

10st 7lb

J: Ben Godfrey

T: Ella Pickard

In a solid run of form but this is a tough mark for an exposed 9yo and he's undergone a fourth wind operation since finishing fifth at Perth in early June.

16/1

5th

8

7th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 2

16:27 Perth

Stans The Man

10st 2lb

J: Ben Godfrey

T: Ella Pickard

On a hat-trick when a fairly close third in this last year and he returns off a 4lb lower mark, and in a solid run of form; enters the reckoning.

10/1

3rd

2

4th May 2026

Good

3m 5f 24y

Class 3

16:38 Fakenham

Stans The Man

11st 12lb

J: Ben Godfrey

T: Ella Pickard

Won this race in 2025 (good ground) and returned to form towards end of last season, latterly when second to recent big-race winner Havaila in Sussex National at Plumpton (3m4f, good); high on the list.

4/1

Form: /1431- D

Last run: 25 days

W: 11st 11lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Evidently well suited by the new trip when scoring at Taunton (3m4f, good) last month, and is now 2-4 over fences; open to further improvement if not inconvenienced by this switch to a left-handed track; respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

4th May 2026

Good

3m 5f 24y

Class 3

16:38 Fakenham

Wicked Thoughts

11st 11lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Paul Nicholls

Evidently well suited by the new trip when scoring at Taunton (3m4f, good) last month, and is now 2-4 over fences; open to further improvement if not inconvenienced by this switch to a left-handed track; respected.

7/2

1st

2

9th Apr 2026

Good

3m 4f 85y

Class 4

16:15 Taunton

Wicked Thoughts

11st 13lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Paul Nicholls

Made a winning chase debut at this track (2m7f, good to firm) in November off 1lb lower mark; put a poor run behind him when third of six back here (2m7f, good) last month and must come into consideration if he adapts to the step up in distance.

3/1

3rd

2

24th Mar 2026

Good

2m 7f 3y

Class 4

15:45 Taunton

Wicked Thoughts

11st 11lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Point/hurdles scorer who jumped well when making a winning start in this sphere over C&D in November but he's been off since coming in a remote fourth of six in 3m Exeter handicap 74 days ago; possibly worth another chance after a break.

7/2

Form: 3611P- D

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 6lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Bounced back to form and won soft-ground marathons at Banger (3m5f) and Hexham (4m) in February/March; pulled up (lame) in early stages at Plumpton last time but has made the frame in the last two editions of this race (both on good ground) and can make his presence felt again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

5

4th May 2026

Good

3m 5f 24y

Class 3

16:38 Fakenham

Planned Paradise

11st 6lb

J: Mr J J Murphy-Knight

T: Christian Williams

Bounced back to form and won soft-ground marathons at Banger (3m5f) and Hexham (4m) in February/March; pulled up (lame) in early stages at Plumpton last time but has made the frame in the last two editions of this race (both on good ground) and can make his presence felt again.

7/1

8

6th Apr 2026

Good

3m 4f 104y

Class 2

16:25 Plumpton

Planned Paradise

10st 8lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Christian Williams

Exploited a reduced mark to win at Bangor (3m5f, soft) in February and again had plenty in hand at Hexham (4m, soft) 12 days ago; this is a hotter race than last time and this 10yo is up 10lb, but he's clearly in rude health and could be bang there once more; handles any ground.

7/1

1st

6

25th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 7f 199y

Class 4

15:41 Hexham

Planned Paradise

11st 7lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Christian Williams

Exploited a reduced mark to win readily at Bangor (extended 3m5f, soft) four weeks ago; on last season's evidence a 9lb rise is unlikely to stop him if he can back up that latest performance; high on the list.

3/1

Form: 61272- CD

Last run: 15 days

W: 11st 4lb

12 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Won three times from the front (once over C&D) last season and lost out only narrowly in refitted cheekpieces at Plumpton (3m1f, good) a fortnight ago but this veteran is nothing like the force of old, and might find this race to competitive.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

7

4th May 2026

Good

3m 5f 24y

Class 3

16:38 Fakenham

Enjoy Dallen

11st 4lb

J: Miss Lily Jones

T: Neil King

Won three times from the front (once over C&D) last season and lost out only narrowly in refitted cheekpieces at Plumpton (3m1f, good) a fortnight ago but this veteran is nothing like the force of old, and might find this race to competitive.

8/1

2nd

3

19th Apr 2026

Good

3m 1f 157y

Class 4

16:02 Plumpton

Enjoy Dallen

11st 12lb

J: Miss Lily Jones

T: Neil King

Veteran chaser who landed his third win of the season, over C&D (soft) in February when getting the better of Lumi Plugin; found the Sussex National back here 13 days ago a tad too competitive but cannot be dismissed here back in the right grade.

7/2

7th

11

6th Apr 2026

Good

3m 4f 104y

Class 2

16:25 Plumpton

Enjoy Dallen

10st 6lb

J: Miss Lily Jones

T: Neil King

Three wins in small fields this season (2m5f-3m5f, good/soft) and another good run when second of three at Sedgefield (3m2f, good) recently; however, there's a suspicion this 12yo will find today's race too competitive.

20/1

Form: 0P30P-

Last run: 16 days

W: 12st 2lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
Well beaten all five starts last season, the last three times in valuable chases for new stable since February; plummeting down the weights and will appreciate this ease in grade but needs a revival.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

1

4th May 2026

Good

3m 5f 24y

Class 3

16:38 Fakenham

Stolen Silver

12st 2lb

J: Miss Olive Nicholls

T: Georgina Nicholls

Well beaten all five starts last season, the last three times in valuable chases for new stable since February; plummeting down the weights and will appreciate this ease in grade but needs a revival.

33/1

10

18th Apr 2026

Soft

3m 7f 176y

Class 1

15:35 Ayr

Stolen Silver

11st 2lb

J: Miss Olive Nicholls

T: Georgina Nicholls

Seemingly nothing like the force of old; not proven beyond 3m either, with heavy defeats on his only two attempts at 3m1f or 3m2f; the former was on latest start when beaten 46l at 150-1 in the Ultima at Cheltenham and all this season's form suggests he will be a big outsider again.

100/1

Form: 55634-

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 5lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
Well suited by a stamina test on good ground and lurks on a dangerous mark but has not been firing on all cylinders since running well on last season's reappearance outing in October; safely held when fourth in recent Sussex National; needs to up his game.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

4th May 2026

Good

3m 5f 24y

Class 3

16:38 Fakenham

Unanswered Prayers

11st 5lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Chris Gordon

Well suited by a stamina test on good ground and lurks on a dangerous mark but has not been firing on all cylinders since running well on last season's reappearance outing in October; safely held when fourth in recent Sussex National; needs to up his game.

12/1

4th

9

6th Apr 2026

Good

3m 4f 104y

Class 2

16:25 Plumpton

Unanswered Prayers

10st 8lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Chris Gordon

Won the Southern National (3m3f, good) in November 2024 and he's on a dangerous mark on form as recent as October 2025; however, this 10yo hasn't threatened since and needs to raise his game.

14/1

3rd

4

8th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 5f 54y

Class 3

16:48 Warwick

Unanswered Prayers

11st 10lb

J: Freddie Gordon

T: Chris Gordon

Landed the Southern National at Fontwell (3m3f, good) last term; form this season features two respectable efforts at Cheltenham, including in 3m5f cross-country race; possibilities off an attractive mark.

7/1

Form: PP/P4- D

Last run: 15 days

W: 11st 4lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Pulled up three consecutive times after his two good-ground wins (3m/3m5f) in March 2025; back on a good mark now and was seemingly perked up by first-time visor when close fourth of six (just behind Enjoy d'Allen) at Plumpton (3m1f, good) last month but overall profile remains unconvincing.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

4th May 2026

Good

3m 5f 24y

Class 3

16:38 Fakenham

Northern Poet

11st 4lb

J: James Davies

T: Nick Gifford

Pulled up three consecutive times after his two good-ground wins (3m/3m5f) in March 2025; back on a good mark now and was seemingly perked up by first-time visor when close fourth of six (just behind Enjoy d'Allen) at Plumpton (3m1f, good) last month but overall profile remains unconvincing.

12/1

4th

1

19th Apr 2026

Good

3m 1f 157y

Class 4

16:02 Plumpton

Northern Poet

12st 1lb

J: James Davies

T: Nick Gifford

Has five wins over fences, including over C&D, but has been pulled up on his last three starts; back on last winning mark and first-time visor now goes on but he comes with risks.

12/1

5

27th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 214y

Class 3

17:05 Doncaster

Northern Poet

11st 8lb

J: James Davies

T: Nick Gifford

Won this last year (good) and followed up at Warwick (3m5f, good) a week later; also effective on good to soft ground; pulled up on final two starts last season but can go well fresh and is not ruled out on his return.

8/1

Form: 35P23- BF

Last run: 25 days

W: 10st 7lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
Back in good nick for his two runs last month, latterly when close third to Wicked Thoughts at Taunton (3m4f, good); still unexposed over marathon trips and still on a workable mark; could have a say.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

10th Jul 2026

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

17:35 Worcester

Always Busy

11st 7lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Christian Williams

Stamina to spare at tonight's trip, and he's representing last year's race-winning trainer and rider combination; never especially consistent, however, and last month's Hexham disappointment as favourite took his chasing strike-rate to 2-16; unclear what to expect.

5/1

6th

4

6th Jun 2026

Good

3m 0f 41y

Class 4

18:10 Hexham

Always Busy

11st 8lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Christian Williams

1lb above last winning mark (3m, Southwell); knocking on the door at Taunton (3m4f; third) on penultimate start, and might have had a role to play in the Norfolk National at Fakenham (3m5f) latest but for falling three out.

9/2

10

4th May 2026

Good

3m 5f 24y

Class 3

16:38 Fakenham

Always Busy

10st 7lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Christian Williams

Back in good nick for his two runs last month, latterly when close third to Wicked Thoughts at Taunton (3m4f, good); still unexposed over marathon trips and still on a workable mark; could have a say.

7/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £30.70
Straight Forecast £24.23
Tricast £71.32
Trifecta £110.80

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Stans The Man

POSTDATA:

Wicked Thoughts

SPOTLIGHT:

Esperti

D Express:

Always Busy

TOPSPEED:

Tommie Beau

WEST COUNTRY:

Wicked Thoughts

The Times:

Wicked Thoughts

Daily Record:

Wicked Thoughts

Telegraph:

Esperti

The Star:

Esperti

The Guardian:

Stans The Man

Daily Mail:

Stans The Man

Daily Mirror:

Stans The Man

The Sun:

Stans The Man