Tom Scudamore, in top form at the weekend when taking a major Cheltenham prize for trainer David Pipe, has strong claims for a hat-trick at Fakenham this afternoon.

Scudamore rode King's Palace to an impressive success on Saturday and while his rides don't match that quality today, he could land the opening three races on a six-race card that gets started at 12.50pm.

Pipe provides his opening ride in the maiden hurdle with Count Danilo. Well held in a Cheltenham bumper, Count Danilo makes a hurdles debut in a field of just four which sees Saffron Wells also make a hurdling debut.

Trevor Whelan rides for Newmarket trainer Neil King while Houseparty, taking a drop in class for David Crosse and trainer Zoe Davison, also has hopes after finishing third at Southwell in July.

Trainer David Thompson has Scudamore on Logical Approach in the 1.20pm handicap hurdle and the Cartmel winner will be looking to reverse placings with Poetic Power, who took the honours when the two met last time.

Whelan and King run Persian Herald, the grey having won at the last Fakenham meeting but who now has to shoulder extra weight while two local trainers also feature.

Fleur Hawes of Bressingham runs Cappielow Park under Leighton Aspell while Wymondham's Caroline Fryer sends out County Zen under Bridget Andrews.

Scudamore teams up with trainer Thompson again at 1.50pm in the class three handicap chase in which he partners 11-year-old The Thirsty Bricky, runner-up at Hexham six days ago. Highbury Hill, Ian Popham riding for Paul Henderson, could be a threat if recovering from unseating at Doncaster following a Wincanton victory.

Hawes also has a shout with Flaming Gorge. Aspell again takes the ride on a horse who goes well fresh and tackles a shorter trip than when fourth last time out at Kempton in May.

Fryer has tasted Fakenham success with Riddlestown over fences but bids to claim a hurdle win with the horse at 2.20pm. Andrews again takes the ride on Riddlestown who won over the bigger obstacles at Huntingdon in October.

Bonnet's Vino for Kielan Woods and Peterborough trainer Pam Sly looks the main threat after a Catterick win a fortnight ago.

The last Fakenham meeting saw Carobello win and the horse attempts to repeat the feat in the 2.50pm novice chase under Nico de Boinville for trainer Mark Bosley. The Charlie Pogson trained and son Adam ridden Hopeand looks to have a chance after running second at Market Rasen last month.

The finale is a two-mile mares novice hurdle in which likely odds-on favourite is Great Oak under Richard Johnson for Tim Vaughan.

Great Oak looks the best bet of the day although Sudden Wish, under Jamie Moore for father George, is a likely rival after finishing third at Lingfield last month.