Militarian bids to outmanoeuvre rivals in Fakenham's Christmas feature

Fakenham stages its traditional Christmas meeting on Tuesday when Santa Claus will be handing out sweets and the Fakenham Town Band will be playing carols throughout the seven-race card.

Trainer Andrew Martin is still in search of a first career win at the Norfolk outpost but looks to have good chance to break that duck with Militarian, joint-topweight for the featured Sky Sports Racing Launching January 1st Handicap Chase (1.50), part of the Challenger Middle Distance Chase Series.

Martin, who only has seven horses in training at his Oxfordshire yard, is on something of a roll, recently sending out Midnight Mustang to win at Southwell on Sunday.

Watch Militarian win at Taunton last month

As a habitual front-runner, Militarian should be well served by the tight turns of Fakenham as he bids to overcome the 9lb rise he was handed after his win at Taunton last month.

Always on the front end that day, the eight-year-old went clear in the home straight to slam Lex Talionis by nine lengths and could yet have more to give.

Martin said: "Things are going really well for us this season and Midnight Mustang was our fourth winner from just 14 runners.

"We've tweaked a few things this season including the feed and now we just need a few more owners. We've got one syndicate horse among the seven we have in training but could do with a couple more."

As to the chances of Militarian, he added: "He's been hammered by the handicapper for Taunton which is a bit steep but he seems at the top of his game. The track should suit as should the ground and we are looking forward to running him."

Reward for festive bonus?

There is also a pre-Christmas feel to proceedings at Catterick where Our Reward features among eight runners in the Introducing Racing TV Handicap Hurdle (1.40), a qualifier for the Northern Lights Stayers Series.

Jamie Snowden's consistent eight-year-old looks to have a lot in his favour after finishing runner-up to the progressive One Night In Milan over course and distance last time.Prior to that, Our Reward had scored tidily at Fakenham before finishing third to the useful Clondaw Rigger over fences at Chepstow.

Jack Quinlan, who renews his association with the gelding, said: "Our Reward ran into a well-handicapped rival last time and if he runs his race he should be thereabouts.

"One trademark of his efforts over fences was that he was prone to missing one out – he seems better over hurdles."

Angel could be heaven sent

A year on from making his first appearance at Southwell, Angel Palanasmakes a tenth start on the Fibresand in the 6f Betway Heed Your Hunch Handicap (1.30).

The Karl Burke-trained stalwart returns to Nottinghamshire on a hat-trick following back-to-back wins at the venue, most recently when overcoming market leader Weld Al Emarat over seven furlongs only last week.

Since finishing seventh in the 5f handicap on this card 12 months ago, Angel Palanas has raced exclusively at Southwell except for one unsuccessful turf foray at Redcar in October.

The four-year-old front-runner, who carries a 7lb penalty for his latest three-and-three-quarter length success, steps back in trip this time and will have to break well from stall ten if he is to keep his good run going.

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