Fakenham racegoers treated to Cheltenham action

Fakenham racegoers were spoilt for choice when its Woodfordes Race Day coincided with Cheltenham Gold Cup Day on Friday.Thanks to big screens showing all seven races from Prestbury Park, the big crowd enjoyed double helpings with seven races also featuring on the local card.Most bookmakers were happy to cover both meetings.The feature race of the afternoon at Fakenham, the Silver Cup Hurdle over two miles, went to Tapley, ridden by claiming jockey Elizabeth Gale for trainer Suzy Smith.Her enterprising ride landed the spoils by just under a length in a terrific finish with her main rival Whispering Royal under Tom Cannon.Trainer Charlie Hammond also had a day to remember with two winners to celebrate.His horse Bluegrass went off as the odds-on favourite in the opening Robert Case Memorial Hurdle, also over two miles, and led from start to finish.There was a stumble at the last but nothing to prevent a runaway victory by seven lengths from Rumoursareflying ridden by Alex Edwards.The trainer followed up by taking the fifth race of the day, the Try Woodfordes New Volt IPA Mares Hurdle over two miles whenStuart Edmunds convincingly guided his mount Birdhouse to a nine-length victory ahead of his only rival up the home straight, Pump It Up under Robert Dunne.Just four runners took part in the Revel Music Festival Chace, the toughest challenge of the day at three miles and five furlongs. Odds-on favourite Ballyrashane showed his class by leading from start to finish under a strong drive from Jack Tudor for trainerChristian Williams.Another small field contested the Woodfordes Wherry Chase for the Prince Carlton Cup over three miles with the market leaders Ballylinch and Elleon vying for supremacy most of the way.Under a strong drive from Jockey Brian Hughes, Ballylinch opened up a good lead and stretched ahead to romp home by six lengths.The Racing TV Hurdle over two miles and four furlongs for the Walter Wales Cup was won by Double Powerful in a storming finish with odds-on favourite Fever Dream.The result was in doubt up the home straight but Brendan Powell urged his less-fancied mount to keep on from the last and win by just over a length.The meeting closed with an excellent Queens Cup Hunters Chase over three miles with Firak leading the way ahead of Rebel Dawn Rising but a close field always in attendance.At the sharp end, Mr Dale Peters seemed to be in cruise control of Rebel Dawn Rising but a surge by Knight In Dubai under Mr Rupert Stearn got him to within a couple of lengths of the winner.A stewards enquiry did not affect the placings.Easter Monday (April 1) is the next scheduled meeting at Fakenham.