Fakenham share day with Gold Cup

FOR the seventh year running The Cheltenham Gold Cup is on the same day as Fakenham's long-established Spring National Hunt race meeting tomorrow (Friday).

'We do not see sharing our day's racing with Cheltenham as a threat, but as an opportunity', said Fakenham's chief executive and clerk of the course, David Hunter.

'We have raced alongside Cheltenham for the last six years and the attendance has increased year on year. I am confident this year will be even better.

'The Tote continues to be the principal race sponsor at the meeting with the totepool Fakenham Silver Cup which will be run immediately after the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup.

'With the Tote, we are presenting the magnificent Fakenham Silver Cup, which was originally given by the King in 1934. It might not be gold but it is certainly bigger than its Cheltenham counterpart!'

The excitement and atmosphere of a day's racing at Fakenham is always electric, but at this year's meeting Hunter feels sure it will be super-charged and he is expecting a large crowd.

'Gold Cup day at Cheltenham can be difficult to get to and a huge squeeze, so I encourage racing enthusiasts to watch the Cheltenham action from Fakenham.

'We shall be showing all of the Cheltenham races live on a massive 100-square meter giant TV screen that will be situated in the centre of the course as well as on all of our own televisions.

'This year, we are working with the King's Lynn Operatic and Dramatic Society at the race meeting to help promote their Easter production of the musical My Fair Lady at the King's Lynn Corn Exchange.

'The two lead roles, Eliza Doolittle and Freddy Eynsford-Hill, will be racing with us in full 'Ascot' black and white period costume and the title of the last race will be suitably named.

'I was approached by the director, Amanda Arterton, who was keen to get some publicity shots of the cast and racing, and this is what we have come up with — it is a fun thing to be able to do.'

All the on-course bookmakers will be taking away bets for Cheltenham and all the Cheltenham races will be interleaved in full into the Fakenham race card.

The first race from Cheltenham is at 1.30pm with the first of Fakenham's six National Hunt races at 2.20pm, the Silver Cup is at 4.55pm and the last race is at 5.30pm.

Entry prices are adult day member �18, grandstand and paddock �13 and course enclosure �8. All youngsters 17 years and under are free. Car parking is free except the members' car park, �8.

For further information on racing contact David Hunter on 01328 862388, 07767 802206 and for My Fair Lady, call the King's Lynn Corn Exchange Box Office on 01553 764864.