16:38 Fakenham

Monday 4 May 2026

All14:1814:5315:2816:0316:3817:1317:48

Chestnut Group Norfolk National Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 16:38 | Winning time: 7m 46.58s

Stolen Silver¹⁶

Age: 11| Weight: 12-2| J: Miss O Nicholls⁽⁵⁾| T: G Nicholls| OR: 127

25/1

Very smart chaser at his best but lost his way for Sam Thomas last term and well beaten all 5 outings last season, pulling up in Scottish Grand National on latest. Lots to prove with regular tongue tie left off.

Form: 4/0P30P-

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Stans The Man^b,t²⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Ben Godfrey| T: Ella Pickard| OR: 123| CD

7/2

Won this last year and in good back from a break this spring, landing 25f Wincanton handicap in March and creditable second of 10 in Sussex National at Plumpton (3½m, good to soft) 28 days ago. Should make a bold bid to defend his crown.

Form: 743612-

Tommie Beau^p²⁸

Age: 11| Weight: 11-11| J: Benjamin Macey⁽⁵⁾| T: J W Mullins| OR: 122| CD

9/2

Veteran who was second in a chase here and hurdle at Cartmel last May. Below par since but has a reduced mark as a result and latest sixth in the Sussex National at Plumpton with cheekpieces added (retained) was a bit more encouraging.

Form: 745686-

Wicked Thoughts^p²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: Freddie Gingell| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 122

10/1

Second Taunton chase success when seeing off 5 rivals over 3½m last month. This 7-y-o is unexposed over this sort of trip and can go well again off only 3 lb higher.

Form: 1P/1431-

Planned Paradise²⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 11-6| J: Mr J J Murphy-Knight⁽⁷⁾| T: Christian Williams| OR: 117| D

16/1

Won marathon handicaps in the mud at Bangor in February and Hexham in March but those exertions possibly caught up with him when pulled up in last month's Sussex National. Second in this in 2024 and fourth last year.

Form: 43611P-

Unanswered Prayers^p²⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 11-5| J: Caoilin Quinn| T: C Gordon| OR: 116

10/1

On a losing run and not much encouragement of late to suggest he's about to end that (seems to be going through the motions a little), once again labouring a long way out when a never-dangerous fourth in the Sussex National.

Form: 555634-

Enjoy D'allen^p¹⁵

Age: 12| Weight: 11-4| J: Miss Lily Jones⁽⁷⁾| T: N B King| OR: 115| CD

10/1

Front runner who won twice here towards the end of 2025 (this trip second occasion). Got his head back in front over 3¼m at Plumpton in February and creditable runner-up efforts on 2 of 3 starts since.

Form: 061272-

Northern Poet^v¹⁵

Age: 11| Weight: 11-4| J: James Davies| T: N J Gifford| OR: 115| D

18/1

Dual chase winner in March 2025. Pulled up on next 3 starts but did take a step back in the right direction with a visor added (retained) when 5 lengths fourth of 6 over 3¼m at Plumpton 14 days ago. Has handicapping scope if he can build on that.

Form: 11PP/P4-

Esperti¹³

Age: 9| Weight: 10-8| J: S Bowen| T: D A Rees| OR: 105| CD

4/1

Successful 3 times over fences in 2025. Backed to winning ways over C&D (good) under Sean Bowen last month and the pair combined to score again at Ffos Las (3m) 8 days later. 9 lb higher on the hat-trick bid but respected in his current mood.

Form: 1P5211-

Always Busy²⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-7| J: Jack Tudor| T: Christian Williams| OR: 104| BF

5/1

Won a 3m Southwell handicap chase last May and back in form last twice, latterly 3¼ lengths third of 6 to Wicked Thoughts at Taunton (3½m, good), finishing with running left after mistakes at the last 2. Should go well.

Form: F35P23-

Forecasts

Stans The Man (7/2), Esperti (4/1), Tommie Beau (9/2), Always Busy (5/1), Wicked Thoughts (10/1), Enjoy D'allen (10/1), Unanswered Prayers (10/1), Planned Paradise (16/1), Northern Poet (18/1), Stolen Silver (25/1)

ALWAYS BUSY looks to be building up to something, finishing with running left behind Wicked Thoughts at Taunton last time, and he gets the vote. Paul Nicholls' charge can go well again, with last year's winner Stans The Man and the thriving Esperti also considered.