Fakenham - Friday 13th March 2026
It was far from a deep contest in which BROTHER BORIS bolted up in here last month but, as both of his rivals on this occasion have something to prove, this is another excellent opportunity for Lucy Wadham's seven-year-old. Yorgunnabeplucky was on target at Ffos Las back in June but hasn't been able to kick on. Even so, he looks a bigger threat than Uncle Al.
Zarakerjack arrives following two creditable Kempton efforts and must be respected given that he's favoured on these terms, but MISTER URSUS gets the nod. Olly Murphy's charge went close at Chepstow last month and any further progress may well be enough. Hans Lippershey has taken a few backwards steps of late, but a return to maiden company ought to aid his chance.
JAMAICAINE completed a hat-trick over hurdles at Doncaster in January and is sent chasing for the first time in only a moderate event. The progressive mare should be suited by the switch to the larger obstacles and is expected to continue her improvement, but the recent Plumpton second Where's Cato won't go down without a fight. Belle Montrose appeals most of the remainder.
Stuart Edmunds won this last year and he runs Blue Marvel this season, with the five-year-old making her handicap debut after a maiden third at Huntingdon. A mark of 103 seems fair enough and she could prove the biggest danger to SECRET VINO, who won despite a troubled passage at Catterick and was value for more than the official one-length margin. Raby Mere has scored over C&D and is another to consider.
HELLO SWEETY is clearly a character but she won easily last time over C&D, coming home 19 lengths clear despite a mistake two out. The handicapper did take notice and put her up 10lb, but this small field may well see her dominate once more. Abbey Law won her maiden over C&D last April and may be worth another chance despite pulling up on her return, leaving Ghost Dancing as next best.
Bluegrass failed to build on his promising third at Taunton when producing an underwhelming display at Doncaster next time, but first-time blinkers might help him to bounce back. Even so, TAPLEY looks the way to go. Suzy Smith's nine-year-old was just touched off in this class over fences at Kempton on Boxing Day and is a C&D winner. Off a workable mark, he looks the one to beat. Nap Hand is another to keep an eye on.
Last year's winner JANIKA looks the one to be on. Runner-up on his latest point-to-point outing, the 13-year-old has lots in his favour to strike. Bowtogreatness possesses the highest rating in the field and if on a going day, he ought go close. Go On Chez was competing in the Hunters' Chase at the Cheltenham Festival this time last year and can beat Coolagh Park home for third.
BROTHER BORIS got off the mark in impressive fashion here last time and with his rise in the weights more than offset by jockey's claim he is fancied to follow up. The drop in trip won't be an issue and he will be tough to peg back once again. Yorgunnabeplucky was unsuited by the way the race developed last time and was left poorly placed at a sharp track but he was in good form prior to that. He can throw down the sole challenge with Uncle Al having major stamina doubts.
MISTER URSUS was a multiple winner on the Flat in France and has shown steady progression over hurdles. She sets the standard and this sharp track should suit so if handling the quicker ground she will be tough to beat. Zarakerjack has been let down by his jumping so far but he should find this much easier than his recent assignments. He showed a useful level of form on the Flat and his yard does well with similar types so he looks the biggest danger ahead of the inconsistent Hans Lippershey.
An open race where all of the quartet hold a chance. It is top weight JAMAICAINE who is preferred though starting out over fences after a progressive spell over hurdles. She has shaped as if longer trips would suit and she had plenty in hand when racking up a hat trick earlier in the season. Course specialist Belle Montrose arrives in form and was just outstayed late on ground softer than ideal last time. The same can be said of Where's Cato who drops back to 3m with cheekpieces added and the pair look big threats back on a sound surface.
Last time out winner Secret Vino is likely to prove popular off a 5lb higher mark. She's now learned to settle and is unexposed over this far so holds strong claims. However there are a couple of lightly raced rivals here who appeal. Blue Marvel represents the yard which took this last year and her maiden form reads well. Though her opening mark isn't generous she is a likely improver now handicapping. It is PAINTED WOLF who is preferred though at potentially generous odds. It's worth drawing a line through his latest outing where he never travelled having been badly hampered early. He looks well treated on his final novice run prior to that and his point form suggests this better ground will suit.
HELLO SWEETY couldn't have been much more impressive when getting off the mark here at the end of last year so is fancied to defy a 10lb rise. Her previous runner up effort has been franked and she should have more to offer for a local yard now she's had her head in front. Adaay Dancing was unsuited by rain softened ground last time but looks on a good mark judged on her debut effort on a sound surface. She can provide the main challenge ahead of lightly raced Ghost Dancing. That rival has been given a basement mark and represents a stable in flying form.
BLUEGRASS can repeat last year's success off just 2lb higher. All of his best form has come at sharp tracks on a quick surface and he is easily forgiven his last run where he failed to stay further on soft ground. Prior to that he was in good form and he should be able to defeat the steadily progressive bottom weight Morning Mayhem. He looks on a fair mark but all of his best form has come on a softer surface. Tapley has proven consistent over hurdles and fences and should also be thereabouts once again.
JANIKA is expected to readily repeat last year's success. The former Haldon Gold Cup winner arrives fit from points and has a class edge with the sound surface in his favour. Bowtogreatness was formerly a useful novice chaser and he is best forgiven his recent rules return where he was too free. The hood is removed and he could bounce back to chase the selection home. Go On Chez is tough to predict but he will enjoy conditions and is a threat if on a going day.
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