UK Horse Racing Tips: Fakenham

GRAIN OF HOPE had both Limelight (fourth) and Royal Athena (fifth) behind when winning comfortably at Ludlow last month and, with Dylan Whelan's claim effectively cancelling out the penalty, she is strongly fancied to follow up. Royal Athena has run well on the Flat since that effort and is fitted with a hood today, so she may reverse the form with Stuart Edmunds' charge. French import Zooks will likely step forward from whatever she does on this occasion.
Prediction : 1st Grain Of Hope 2nd Royal Athena 3rd Limelight

A chance is taken on KING OTIS, who was bitterly disappointing when sent off a short-priced favourite at Stratford 11 days ago but fairly bolted up at Plumpton on his penultimate outing. He possibly just got stuck in the mud last time and forecast better ground this afternoon should be a big help. Pure Bubbles makes his handicap debut off a mark of 97 and warrants respect, while Trusty Scout completes the shortlist following a string of decent efforts on the Flat.
Prediction : 1st King Otis 2nd Pure Bubbles 3rd Trusty Scout

Hat-trick seeking Ben Buie is race-fit and clearly in good heart, but he might be worth taking on with chasing/seasonal debutant SCENE ONE. Lucy Wadham's gelding readily won a good maiden hurdle at Warwick in April (second and third both won since) and he potentially looks a fair bit better than this mark of 106. Icaque De L'isle also has a chance on his best form.
Prediction : 1st Scene One 2nd Ben Buie 3rd Icaque De Lisle

SHINJI won his only previous visit here by an easy five lengths and, entitled to improve on his reappearance run/hurdles debut at Stratford last month, he looks the one to beat. Cuban Court has shown plenty of promise in the bumper sphere, much like the selection, and he rates a leading player on his jumping bow, while Star Legend also merits consideration following his pleasing runner-up effort at Huntingdon.
Prediction : 1st Shinji 2nd Cuban Court 3rd Star Legend

Crem Fresh has proved frustrating with three second places from her last four starts, but she has gone well fresh before. Eliza Dolittle might go well upped in trip after her promising Plumpton third, but preference is for BETTY'S BELLE. She weakened late on into third over three miles plus at Plumpton last month and sits close to the bottom of the weights now over a more suitable trip.
Prediction : 1st Bettys Belle 2nd Crem Fresh 3rd Eliza Dolittle

Allo Allo pulled up at Stratford, but the vet reported signs of heat stress so it might be best to put a line through that. He has won both starts here, both over hurdles, and could go well. Le Tueur is heading down the handicap to a mark he can go well off, but Plumpton winner KADEX may be the one. He won eased down by close to four lengths that day and an added 4lb may not stop him doubling up.
Prediction : 1st Kadex 2nd Allo Allo 3rd Le Tueur

With the Fergal O'Brien yard going well, Mistral Blue is hard to ignore, though she will need to step up on her Huntingdon effort in May. CHARMIAN'S PLACE looks the likelier winner after she came home second at Warwick and followed that with a fourth at Worcester, and she may get the better of the unraced Midnight Sting, who is well worth a market check.
Prediction : 1st Charmians Place 2nd Midnight Sting 3rd Mistral Blue