Norfolk jockeys to boost forces charity

Retired amateur jockeys will tomorrow line up for a special charity day to help raise money for the forces' charity Help For Heroes.

For the past decade, the charity day at Fakenham Racecourse e event has raised funds and awareness for the Countryside Alliance, but this time around the proceeds will be split with the forces' charity.

The renamed Countryside and Forces Raceday will begin with its traditional amateurs' race, whose entrants this year have been selected from former East Anglian point-to-point riders.

Among the 12 jockeys will be Lt Guy Disney, who will be back in the saddle for his first competitive race since losing part of his right leg in a grenade blast while serving in Afghanistan.

The officer from the Light Dragoons, based in Swanton Morley, near Dereham, has had a specially-designed riding limb fitted in order to compete.

Before his injury, Lt Disney rode point-to-point races for Wymondham-based trainer Nigel Bloom, who will compete against him in the charity ride.

Former champion Mr Bloom, 46, said he was proud to help raise money to help the rehabilitation of wounded soldiers - but he will leave his charitable instincts at the start line.

'It will mean a great deal to raise money for such a notable and worthwhile charity as this, but it does not mean I will be giving Guy my inside,' he said.

'It is always the same. People who ride can ride with their greatest friends with them, but there is no quarter given when the race starts.'

Fakenham's charity day has raised more than �160,000 during the past 10 years.

Clerk of the course David Hunter said the change of fundraising emphasis this year was inspired by the sacrifices made by the course's local regiment.

'There is a natural link between the forces, the countryside and racing - and of course we have the regiment at Swanton Morley as our next-door neighbours,' he said.

To enter the two-mile flat race, riders had to find and train a suitable horse, get themselves fit enough to race and raise at least �1,000 of sponsorship.

The amateurs' race, sponsored by Ames Nissan, will begin at midday before a full National Hunt programme starts at 1.25pm.

No.HorseRider

1WIKAALAAnnie Bowles

Colours: YELLOW with GREEN STAR, YELLOW sleeves, GREEN chevrons. Green/Yellow � cap.

Jockey: Rode in 50 East Anglian Pt to Pts. 2 wins.

2GO NORTHCaroline Fryer

Colours: PURPLE with WHITE � , PURPLE armlets. Quartered cap.

Jockey: Rode few rides in Pt to Pts from 1998-2002. 2 wins.

3MONKSTOWN JACKOREY Gi d'Angibau

Colours: EMERALD GREEN, white sash & armlets. EMERALD GREEN with WHITE HOOP cap.

Jockey: 50 Pt to Pt wins 1991-2001.

4KILLEENGH LODGEHannah Barnard

Colours: BLACK, RED sleeves. BLACK cap.

Jockey: 60 pt to pt rides.

5LORD PRUNUSMichael Skinner

Colours: PINK & PRIMROSE quartered, halved sleeves, quartered cap.

Jockey: 13 wins 1971-1980, pt to pt and under rules.

6MUHTENBARMalcolm Kemp

Colours: PRIMROSE, DARK GREEN HOOP & ARMLET, BLACK cap.

Jockey: Pt to pt a few times. Last race rode 32 yrs ago.

7AIRSTRIKENeil King

Colours: NAVY with YELLOW cross of lorraine, RED sleeves. NAVY , YELLOW star cap.

Jockey: 48 wins in pt to pt & hunter chase in a former life.

8MASSAPOAGNigel Bloom

Colours: BLACK, ROYAL BLUE hoops on sleeve, RED cap.

Jockey: Former East Anglian and National Pt to Pt Champion.

9KURIYAMAPenny Stearn

Colours: BLACK / WHITE x-belts jersey. BLACK/WHITE check cap.

Jockey: Amateur ladies race and Pt to Pt, 2 Newmarket Town Plates.

10CATHEDRAL ROCK Jenny Knight

Colours: DARK BLUE, LIGHT BLUE sleeves. DARK BLUE , GREEN & PINK HOOPS cap.

Jockey: A few pt to pt rides in East Anglia.

11.OSHKOSHLt. Guy Disney

Colours: NAVY, two RED strips, LIGHT BLUE sleeves. RED cap.

Jockey: Pt to pt riding for 10 years, a few rides under rules.

12.IVORY FAIRChris Lawson

Colours: GREEN & WHITE checks, diablo sleeves, GREEN with WHITE star cap.

Jockey: East Anglian Champion owner/trainer/rider 1998. Last raced in 2003.