Apprentice Freddie rides a Fakenham double

The damp weather may have reduced the crowd but New Year’s Raceday at Fakenham went ahead as planned with a fair number enjoying all the action of a seven-race card.The atmosphere was festive with a live jazz band playing in front of the main bar.The opening Happy New Year from Gamble Plant Amateur Jockeys Hurdle over two miles and four furlongs produced an outstanding winner in favourite Crac De Megaudais ridden by Tommie O’Brien.This pairing was in control from first to last, leading the remaining runners a merry dance.Well ahead over the final mile the winner pushed on, extending his lead up the home straight to an unassailable 12 lengths over second-placed Siberian Star ridden by Abigail Voyce.There was a similar result in the Queen Boudicca Mares Chase over the same distance when Gazette Bourgeoise ridden by Harry Bannister romped home in the four-runner field to dominate his main rival, the favourite, Micks Jet, crossing the line 12 lengths to the good.The Book Your Skip Online Maiden Hurdle over two miles was a more open affair in a tightly bunched field of nine. Always up with the pace, Lindy Reilly ridden by Tristran Durrell for trainer Dan Skelton made her presence felt where it mattered to win over Mohawk Chief by two lengths. Claiming jockey Freddie Mitchell rode the first of his double on the day when he won the Betting Better with SkyBet Mares Novices Hurdle over just under three miles.He took over from long-time leader Extra Cover with a mile to go and drove his mount Malago Rose to an impressive 13-length victory over Lady’s Present under Charlie Hammond. The favourite Barra Blue was pulled up.The double was achieved in the very next race, the Racing TV Novices Chase over two miles and five furlongs. After a tussle with Brother Boris who jumped well under Tom Cannon for much of the distance, the winner, One Last Glance, took command to win by seven lengths.Trainer Lucy Wadham, based in Newmarket, has a good record at Fakenham and extended this with her horse Pearly Island, also ridden by Cannon, to win the Gamble Plant Norfolk Ltd Grand Prix Hurdle over two miles and four furlongs. They beat Godot into second place by eight lengths.In gathering gloom the final race of a successful day, when there were no fallers despite the soft going, Court Cian ridden by Ciaran Gethings for Stuart Edmunds held on up the home straight to beat Ted’s Friend under Max Kendrick.The next meeting at Fakenham is scheduled for Sunday, January 19.