'We're trying something different' - Williams rolls the dice with Virginia Chick

1.55 Fakenham
Little Snoring Handicap Hurdle | 2m7½f | 4yo+| Sky

Underfoot conditions are likely to prove very testing, which could count against at least two of the eight contenders.

Canyon City, the sole course-and-distance scorer in the field, only boasts winning form on going only officially described as good or good to firm, while Who’s My Jockey has yet to register a success on ground slower than good to soft.

The pace angle is provided by Young Offender, who made all to score over 2m4f at Fakenham in December 2019.

He could enjoy an uncontested lead, but has to bounce back from two disappointing efforts this season, most recently when pulled up behind Ashtown Lad at Uttoxeter in November.

You could argue that Young Offender, with just six races to his name, and Crossgalesfamegame, who is still relatively unexposed in handicaps, are the two most open to improvement.

The Alan King-trained Label Des Obeaux is rated 22lb lower over hurdles than fences, which will make him of significant interest to some.

He did not fare too badly on similar ground at Haydock last month under a rider who claimed 10lb when fourth of nine to Queenohearts but is, in effect, racing off 9lb higher this time.

This is a race which could be teed up nicely for bottom-weight Virginia Chick, who has dropped to a most attractive mark after failing to build on an Exeter novice chase win early last season.

Isabel Williams has a great rapport with this six-time winner, who will relish the deep underfoot conditions and carries just 10st 3lb with the aid of her 5lb claim.
Race analysis by Ricard Birch

What they say

Jonjo O'Neill, trainer of Dream Berry
He seems in good form at home, but hasn't been showing it on the track. He's the best horse in the race on ratings, but it's a long time since he showed his form. Things could come his way round this track and we'd be delighted if it sparked him back.

Lucy Wadham, trainer of Potters Hedger
There was no real excuse for his run last time, I just don't think he was suited by Sandown, which can be a specialist track. Before that he ran a mighty race to finish second at Lingfield [behind Storm Arising], the form of which has been working out very well. He's been running in blinkers and we're going to try visors, so he can see a bit more.

Fergal O'Brien, trainer of Crossgalesfamegame
She'll love the ground and the step up in trip is what she wants. There's a question mark over the track, but she ran very well at Cheltenham last time and has improved with each run this year.

Stuart Edmunds, trainer of Young Offender
He's not had the rub of the green on his first two starts of the season. They took two hurdles out on his first run at Wetherby, when he wasn't beaten far, and then he pulled a muscle in his backside at Uttoxeter last time. He seems in real good order going back to a track where he has won before.

Evan Williams, trainer of Virginia Chick
He's been disappointing and just seems to be out of form. We're trying something different going there as Fakenham is a unique track.
Reporting by Andrew Dietz

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