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Big holiday crowd at Fakenham races
RACING:FINE weather, half-term and a seven-race card attracted a big holiday crowd to Fakenham for its annual Countryside Counts Raceday.
Two course specialists took each other on in the opening Countryside Alliance Chase over three miles for the Prince Carlton Challenge Cup.
The richest race of the day brought together local legend Cool Roxy, a nine-times winner, and The Dark Lord, who took the honours at the last Fakenham meeting in January.
Others in the mix made this a very competitive affair but once again it was The Dark Lord who prevailed, given a great ride by Dominic Elsworth.
Outsider Finnegan's Rainbow took the West Norfolk Sporting Trust Selling Hurdle over two miles.
Coming to the last it looked as if Night Reveller would win, but he blundered and dumped jockey David Cullinane on the deck, allowing Lee Vickers to profit by five lengths from Capistrano.
The Andy Don Memorial Beginners' Chase over three miles gave odds-on favourite Oscar Park a comfortable winning warm-up prior to the Royal and Sun Alliance Chase at next month's Cheltenham Festival.
Untroubled throughout, he eased away up the finishing straight to win by nine lengths in the hands of Seamus Durack.
It was a similar story in the Hunting is Thriving E.B.F. Novices Hurdle over two miles and four furlongs.
On his only ride of the day, top jockey Ruby Walsh held all the cards on the classy six-year-old Gansey despite a mistake at the last.
The pairing won by seven lengths from 25-1 shot Lord Appellare.
Claiming jockey Felix de Giles enhanced his growing reputation with two smart wins later in the day for trainer Nicky Henderson.
Scots Dragoon landed the West Norfolk Foxhounds Hurdle over three miles by three lengths from the persistent favourite Gustavo.
And Ravello Bay stormed home by seven lengths to beat Gold Reef in the Mares Only National Hunt Flat race over two miles.
Shock of the afternoon came in the Walter Wales Fox Hunters' Chase over two miles and five furlongs when the 1-8 on "certainty" Thisthatandtother failed to deliver.
Tiring at the last he was tackled by second favourite Twenty Degrees ridden by Mr R. Burton who pulled away for a surprise two-length victory.
The next meeting at Fakenham is on Friday, March 14, the first race due off at 2.15pm.
Spectators can see all the day's action from the Cheltenham Festival, including the Gold Cup, on a giant TV screen in the centre of the course.
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Weather for King's Lynn
Monday 28 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: North
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 9 C to 16 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: North east
