Fakenham start for Lord

High-class hurdler The Dark Lord will make his chasing debut in the Geoff Hubbard Memorial Novices’ Chase at Fakenham in England on Friday.

Lucy Wadham’s eight-year-old notched up a hat-trick of wins last season before rounding off his campaign by finishing third in a competitive Listed Handicap at Aintree’s Grand National meeting.

“He’s going to run on Friday – he has had a few entries this week but we have just been waiting for some rain,” said Mrs Wadham.

“It looks quite a hot race but I think he should run well. His schooling has gone fine and funnily enough he schooled over the fences at Fakenham at the end of last season, so I am very happy.

“It is a big change for him going chasing so we will get a couple of runs under his belt before making any major plans.”