Fakenham 16:00
Wiesentraum is top rated in this small field and was in good form this time last year in three miles handicap chases. His last win was here at Fakenham just under a year ago (he's only ran three times since) with his penultimate run being pulled up in the Scottish National. He ran three weeks ago in a Listed chase and has slipped down the handicap so is only three pounds higher than when winning this last year so has to come into contention.
Open hearted for Dan Skelton was really well supported in an open looking race last time out and has won around Fakenham before, albeit over hurdles. I have a suspicion he is better over slightly shorter though and with proven stamina in some of his rivals he may struggle to keep up at the business end.
Knock House is the favourite and also won here last year in a three mile beginners chase. He was a decent fifth is a Listed handicap at Cheltenham so a repeat of that quite of form should see him go close. His most recent run was a victory of three miles but he was a 1/2 shot that day having only faced two other horses so I'm not sure that he is completely comfortable with the distance in a truly run race. He does get two pounds from Wiesentraum so that could help a little.
Kilbree Kid is a consistent sort who won a good handicap over almost three miles at Perth in June. He has jumped up the weights a bit since then and his subsequent runs seem to imply that he either needs an easier grade or a bit of a drop in handicap mark before he will be in the winners enclosure again.
Bucking the Trend is nicely enough weighted on old form but he hasn't run for nearly two years so it would be taking a gamble to assume he's match fit and therefore it's hard to see him playing a big part today.
At the prices I think Wiesenstraum is the value, he loves it around this course and has won the past two renewals of this race.
Today's Selection
Fakenham 16:00 Weisenstraum - 1 point @ 9/2 (Most places)