Remarkable Stormin Norman tale to continue on Flat debut at Wetherby

Stormin Norman’s Market Rasen bumper success last month was as fitting as they come and he bids to provide some Tuesday joy to owners The Monday Club on his Flat debut at Wetherby (1.50).

The Micky Hammond-trained four-year-old is named after Norman Smith, father of Gemma and Becky Smith, who are assistant trainer and amateur jockey respectively at Hammond's yard in Middleham.

His emotional first success at Market Rasen under Smith came two years to the day after the jockey buried her dad, and she said: "The Monday Club is 21 of my dad’s friends, named because they all used to go for a drink every Monday.

"They all put a bit of spare change in a pot, started by my dad, to one day buy a racehorse, but then my dad passed away. We bought this guy, a little thing with a big, white cute face. I just fell in love with him from the word go.

"They named him Stormin Norman because it was my dad’s nickname and he runs in the colour of my dad’s old rugby club, the Milford Marlins. When he won at Market Rasen two years ago to the day, what's even more freaky is my dad’s rugby playing number was six and he carried the number six that day. You couldn't write it.

"There was plenty of luck that day but I think there was definitely someone watching over us for the last two strides of the race because he only won by a neck."

Emerald Rose won last year's Norfolk National at Fakenham

Smith confirmed Stormin Norman was bought to be a dual-purpose horse and said of his Flat debut: "He’s come on for the run and is in good form. We will school him up as well, the idea is we might give him a couple of runs over hurdles through the summer.

"To be honest I thought Stormin Norman wouldn’t be any good, so the fact he’s won a race is great – I said to the lads the other day, if I never rode another winner it wouldn’t matter, that’s how much it meant. He’ll have a home for life with me now."

Rose ready for repeat National bid at Fakenham

Julian Smith's last win came in last year’s Norfolk National with Emerald Rose, and he’s hoping the 12-year-old can defy her advancing age to win the same race again at Fakenham (3.45).

Smith accepts Emerald Rose will have to improve significantly on her most recent run at Bangor, but is hopeful of another bold bid against 11 rivals, which include Warwick winner Fifty Shades, the hat-trick-seeking Gamain and 2017 winner Amiral Collonges.

Smith said: "She seems in really good form, although her last run was a bit of a blip as she didn’t show much. She’s only 1lb above what she was last year but then again, she’s a year older. We’re hopeful of a really good run, it might be a slightly better race this year but she goes there with a fair chance of doing the same.

"The ground will be fine, she’s run around Fakenham enough times to know what she’s doing around there. I just hope her years haven’t caught up with her."

Carey predicts Seskin will take flight at Ballinrobe

Patrick Carey doesn't have many horses in training but that doesn't matter as long as Seskin Flyer stays fit and well.

The eight-year-old has provided the trainer with many memorable days on the racecourse, winning four times and cashing a cheque for finishing second on seven other occasions.

Patrick Carey is hopeful of another memorable day out with Seskin FlyerCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Carey is confident of another prominent display from his stable star in the BetVictor Handicap Chase (7.40) at Ballinrobe and predicts Seskin Flyer will not be out of the frame.

He said: "We're very lucky to have one like him. I think the trip will suit him well and I always knew he'd be a better horse over a fence. I think he'll be in the shake-up, but Arthur Moore's horse [At Your Ease] might be hard to beat. We're hopeful."

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