Fakenham chief rues quick ground as small fields dominate Norfolk circuit

There is a feeling of treading water today prior to Haydock on Saturday when the Betfair Chase, the first leg of the Jockey Club's £1 million Triple Crown, is staged at Haydock.

Fakenham deserves better from the weather with fast ground putting off many after clerk of the course David Hunter was his usual forthright self in his BHA bulletin, which read: "Safe ground but quicker than I would want and expect at this time of year. Can't water as the licence only allows between April and October."

Today's cards

The Norfolk track has had 5mm of rain and is forecast the same again at least before racing.

Southwell also switches to a jumps meeting, while Lingfield stages an all-weather card.

Going report

Lingfield(AW) (first race 12.10)
Standard.

Southwell (12.50)
Good (GoingStick 7.0 at 6.30am).

Fakenham (1.00)
Good to firm, good in places (GoingStick 7.0 at 8.10am).
Distances: 1.00 +170yds, 1.30 & 2.30 +258yds, 2.00 +136yds, 3.00 +172yds and 3.30 +213yds.

What to back

Dave Orton (£) heads our tipping team for members with two from Southwell.

The Tips Box is full of our experts, while Signposts Sweetspots points the way to some stats-based selections.

Maddy Playle was on the mark with her quickfire tip yesterday, a 5-1 winner at Hereford, so check out today's below.

What to read

The news Enable will be back to wow us again in 2019 has brought plenty of reaction.

Lorraine Archibald will also be a name in the news after her Racing Post/SIS Betting Shop Manager of the Year win and she talks to Bill Barber about the prestigious award.

What to watch

The Postcast team has it all – reflections on Cheltenham's eventful November meeting, reaction to the news Enable stays in training and some thoughts on the upcoming meetings this week.

The Scudamore family has been centre stage in jump racing for three generations and RPTV has put together some fascinating old and new pictures and interviews with Peter and Tom Scudamore about the book, which Guardian journalist Chris Cook has produced, just in time for the Christmas market!

The best of Racing Post Sport

More Nations League action tonight and Dan Childs has his take on the Scotland v Israel match.

It is only a friendly between Wales and Albania but Steve Davies has a bet for the tie.

For the freshest betting advice, based on latest going and market conditions, don't miss the Live Tipster every afternoon. Just click Raceday Live at racingpost.com or the mobile app