Classic-winning trainer Roger Varian has first ever bumper runner at Fakenham today 👀

Roger Varian is one of the finest trainers around. His wheelhouse is more likely to be Group 1s on the Flat however and not bumpers at Fakenham. Quite literally something you don’t see every day, Varian is having his first ever bumper runner in the last at Fakenham today. A step into the unknown for him, it’ll be fascinating to see how the horse runs. Check out our free tips page for daily content across British and Irish racing. Why not follow us on Twitter @myracingtips where you can stay up to date and get in touch.

3.22 Fakenham

Shinji (5-6, William Hill) is the three-year-old debutant in question. A son of Kingston Hill, there’s plenty of middle-distance pedigree which suggests he can get this trip. The market is confident that the horse is here to win, as his odds-on price suggests. This can’t be taken as gospel though, due to the fact it’s Varian’s first ever bumper runner. No one can say for certain how he’ll get on.

Aidan Coleman is a positive jockey booking. One of the most trusted jockeys around, his reputation as one of the best has long been established. It’s also worth noting that he’s riding at a 24 per cent strike rate in the last 14 days. Shinji is likely to get a good, educational experience with Coleman on board. The three-year-old gets a hefty weight allowance from his rivals.

Roger Varian has a successful history of training stayers. One example would be this horse’s sire who he trained to win the St Leger back in 2014. A classy operator, he also won the Racing Post Trophy at two by almost five lengths and finished second to Australia in the Derby. In more recent years, Eldar Eldarov won both the Queen’s Vase and the St Leger during the last campaign. All in all, the omens bode well for a winning foray into bumpers for Roger Varian.

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