15:45 Fakenham

Tuesday 7 May 2019

All14:1014:4015:1015:4516:1516:45

Snellings Norfolk National Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:45 | Winning time: 7m 37.80s

Doing Fine^p,t²⁴

Age: 11| Weight: 12-1| J: T Scudamore| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 127

5/1

Below form for many of his recent runs; looks far from the force of old when he held chances in some big staying handicaps (fourth 2018 Scottish National).Struggled in the same race last time after a wind op; not totally written off dropped in grade.

Form: 44/0750-

Mercers Court²⁶

Age: 11| Weight: 11-12| J: Jack Andrews⁽⁷⁾| T: N B King| OR: 124| C

20/1

Course winner (1-5) over shorter who was fifth in this last year off an 8lb lower mark (out of form at the time). Scored a handicap hat-trick later in 2018; continues in good heart (needed race last time), does look a shade too high in the weights.

Form: 112245-

Global Dream²⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-8| J: Harry Skelton| T: Mrs Caroline Bailey| OR: 120| BF

6/1

Well beaten on his previous run here (over shorter) he's an inconsistent sort who can be a little quirky. A repeat of his latest placed efforts would give him a chance (pulled up last time); stays well although this track may prove too sharp for him.

Form: 2/P423P-

Emerald Rose^p⁴⁵

Age: 12| Weight: 11-7| J: M D Grant| T: J S Smith| OR: 119| CD

16/1

Winner of this last year off 118 (also sixth in 2016); generally goes well here (3-6). Not getting any younger and only seen three times since her victory last year; never going well without headgear last time (returns here), needs to step up.

Form: 33/1377-

Hepijeu^p,t¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: C Gethings| T: S Edmunds| OR: 117

8/1

Very consistent since joining this stable (won first three races over hurdles) before a trio of runner-up slots switched to fences. Creditable run (against less exposed types) over hurdles last time off this mark; travels well, chance if he stays.

Form: 112223-

Little Windmill^p,t¹³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: Bryony Le Clerc| T: N B King| OR: 114| C

14/1

Front-runner who has plenty of form around here but is unreliable and needs treating with caution. Has run well last two starts back from a break but sits on a fairly lofty perch (for him) in the handicap, others hold more persuasive claims.

Form: PPPP22-

Fifty Shades²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: James Bowen| T: Christian Williams| OR: 112| C| D

11/4

1-1 over fences around here (hurdles winner also) from a trainer who does well here; proved his stamina with a win over this trip at Warwick last time. Handles quick conditions but has to prove himself in this grade off a 9lb higher mark.

Form: 452141-

Silver Man¹²

Age: 12| Weight: 10-12| J: Max Kendrick⁽⁵⁾| T: S Flook| OR: 110| D

33/1

A test like this will hold no fears for him (last win came over 3m5f at Cartmel) however that win was nearly two years ago. 19lb lower now he's shown no real signs of a revival for this yard (third run for them); can only be watched at present.

Form: P56P84-

Achill Road Boy^b¹¹

Age: 10| Weight: 10-9| J: R Johnson| T: W Coltherd| OR: 107| BF

4/1

Well fancied for the Highland National (Perth) last time but unseated early in the race. Consistent over fences of late though (especially in blinkers); has won here over shorter but a rare runner at the track for his trainer; champion jockey booked.

Form: 42122U-

Amiral Collonges^p³¹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-7| J: L P Aspell| T: H J Evans| OR: 105| CD

9/1

The 2017 winner off a 2lb higher mark he's failed to win since with his form more miss than hit. Offered little in his two runs so far this year back from a break and hard to see him defending his crown on recent evidence; best watched for now.

Form: 22U/5P5-

Non-Runners

Gamain²³

Weight: 10-10| Age: 10

T: Mrs J Williams J: Non Runner

Arthur's Reuben⁴⁰

Weight: 10-0| Age: 6

T: J Candlish J: M Hamill

Forecasts

Fifty Shades (11/4), Achill Road Boy (4/1), Doing Fine (5/1), Global Dream (6/1), Gamain (6/1), Hepijeu (8/1), Amiral Collonges (9/1), Little Windmill (14/1), Emerald Rose (16/1), Mercers Court (20/1), Arthur's Reuben (20/1), Silver Man (33/1)

Two previous winners of this event in Emerald Rose and Amiral Collonges take their chances again but it would be a surprise if either were good enough to take this marathon event again. Two jockey bookings immediately catch the eye with Richard Johnson on Achill Road Boy and Sam Twiston-Davies riding Gamain both taking mounts for stables that they are not usually associated with. Of the two the former would be preferred and may gain compensation for unseating when well fancied last time. Christian Williams has already enjoyed plenty of success here with his runners (34% strike-rate) and his FIFTY SHADES can improve that figure despite the rise in class/weights. Hepijeu is also respected.