Day to remember for jockey William Featherstone at Fakenham

Featherstone, 21, excelled as both of his winners looked up against it for much of their respective races.

The 7lb claimer, who is based with trainer Alan King, had to be at his most persistent aboard Vent Nivernais in the Fakenham Racecourse Supports Racing To School Maiden Handicap Hurdle.

Featherstone even admitted he thought about pulling up the seven-year-old, who was not an overly willing partner in the two-mile contest. Vent Nivernais had also stumbled at a flight early on and all the time Astrum looked to be travelling sweetly on the front end.

But as they swung for home, Featherstone's urgings were finally getting through to the 2-1 joint-favourite, who asserted - albeit without the greatest enthusiasm. Astrum threatened to rally in the closing strides but Vent Nivernais held on by a neck.

Winning trainer James Evans said: "He looked beat - and I thought he was! It was a very strong ride and he looks a really good lad."

Featherstone said: "He doesn't do a lot to help you. I thought about pulling him up but I gave him a couple of smacks and he started picking up."

The young rider showed his blossoming talent once more in the EPDS Racing Welfare BTO Series Handicap Series on Daliance.

Trainer Noel Williams' horse traded at 65-1 in running after dropping away from the leading duo six furlongs out. But the 5-2 shot responded to hands and heels riding and had established a narrow lead from Lee Side Valley as they landed after the last.

In a mighty tussle through the closing strides, Daliance held on by a head to give Featherstone another day to remember after riding in a graded race for the first time on Saturday at Sandown.

He said: "He is a bit of a thinker. I haven't picked up the stick - never showed him it. I've just kept giving him a squeeze. But there is a bit of ability there."

Worcestershire handler Evans was also in double form, with Prince Of Steal following stablemate Vent Nivernais into the winner's enclosure.

Liam Treadwell, taking his only ride of the day, was never far away in fourth and booted the 8-1 chance into the lead just before two out in the two-mile Racing To School Are Here Today Novices' Hurdle.

The six-year-old, carrying a penalty for a course success over half a mile further in December, finished his race in impressive style, scoring by eight lengths from Listed bumper winner Hollies Pearl.

Evans said: "He is a tough and nippy sort - that is why we thought it would suit him around here. The drop back in trip was not ideal - we got away with it. We will go handicapping now probably - and step him up to three miles."

Conor O'Farrell was another jockey to make a single ride on the card pay off as he cruised to the most emphatic of victories aboard Entry To Evrywhere in the King's Lynn Handicap Chase. The eight-year-old won for the first time under Rules - cantering home with no less than 40 lengths back to the runner-up Mandy's Boy.

Halo Moon completed a three-timer by landing the odds in the Racing Welfare Handicap Chase. The 4-6 favourite grabbed the lead from the evergreen Fine Parchment between the last two fences and went on to record a four-and-a-half-length victory in the hands of Noel Fehily.

Neil Mulholland's eight-year-old has now won three times in 11 days - twice at Fakenham over two miles and five furlongs.

Fehily said: "I don't know what Neil is feeding him, but he is taking his races well!"

Owner Paul Cafferty was also quick to praise Mulholland who has trained Halo Moon since last spring. He said: "Neil has worked wonders with him - his team are fantastic."

Navanman easily defied a 7lb penalty in the last, following up last Thursday's Towcester triumph with success in the Wells Next The Sea Handicap Hurdle.

David Pipe's representative won this staying contest like an 8-13 shot should, with jockey Tom Scudamore untroubled in nailing a three-and-a-half-length victory.

Scudamore said: "He has done that nicely. We were always jumping so fluently. Hopefully, there is more to come."