17:21 That’s it from a sunny Huntingdon where, rarely, we have had a six race card. Not the highest quality afternoons racing we are going to see this season, but a good afternoon out nonetheless.
Tomorrow we are back to an eight race card as we set off to Wetherby, until then good evening.
17:18 A bumper to finish proceedings, the Spreadex.com Standard Open NH Flat over the extended two miles.
There had been a gamble throughout the day on Swing State and he was sent off the 13/8 favourite.
It was Magusta who set the pace, with Alwaysonthemove and Moscow Tiger in close attendance, Swing State was settled behind the leading group.
There was little change in the pace, with the field well bunched, for most of the contest. No surprise then the race proper began as they turned for home.
At this point Bonny Zara and Chantoosy had dropped out of contention and Magusta and Rhythm Seeker were in front, although both were soon to come under pressure.
Moscow Tiger was running on at this stage and led briefly, although both Rudanphast and Swing State were making progress.
Of the leading trio Rudanphast was the first to fold.
Racegoers were then treated to the most exciting finish of the afternoon. Swing State had the lead initially but Moscow Tiger was not going to give up without a fight and even edged ahead.
The battle was fierce and, where it mattered, Swing State just managed to get his nose in front – briefly.
16:48 Our final contest over obstacles was the Huntingdon Novices’ Chase over 3m, with only five going to post.
Course specialist, and commentators nightmare, Pairc Na Gcapall was sent off the short priced favourite and set off in front at what eventually proved to be too fast a pace.
Leading until the final ditch he made a mistake three out, not a major mistake but enough to slow him down. Also the mistake coincided with a challenge from Toby Jug who sailed into what turned out to be an unassailable lead.
Pairc Na Gcapall was unable to regain the momentum from the mistake and he was even passed by Ballyvesey who was putting in his best work at the end, looking as though three miles may be a bare minimum.
Meanwhile Toby Jug was heavily eased on the run-in, coming home ten lengths clear and pro0bably value for double that.
16:20 The Spreadex – Sports and Financial Spread Betting Handicap Hurdle over two miles was race four and it saw our biggest field of the afternoon with 13 going to post.
It was another of those races where nothing stood out and it says a lot when the most spectacular action to report came at an incident at the fourth flight, where Mr Darcey fell when sharing the lead and bought down Semi Detached. It looked nasty and Colin Bolger was on the ground for quite a while but jockeys and horses all came back in one piece.
The closing stages were muddling with Hugenot, the favourite, looking to have every chance turning for home but then fading in the final quarter mile.
Dark Energy led crossing two out but his rivals were bearing down, most notably Mesbaah and Dani’s Girl. The latter running on really well to take up the running at the last and coming home the three length winner.
15:47 The third contest was the Conamar Building Services Novices’ Hurdle over the extended 2½ miles.
A more motley crew you will have to go a long way to see as five faced the starter.
Stopped Out was the early pacesetter, leading for the first four flights, until the hard pulling Mid Valley took up the running, after about a mile in front he soon dropped out of contention, allowing Stopped Out to take up the running again.
Stopped Out and Viva Colonia shared the lead as they turned out of the back straight.
Meanwhile the favourite Penyfan Dawn was settled in rear before Richard Johnson asked for an effort as they turned for home.
Stopped Out and Viva Colonia were still side by side jumping the second last with Penyfan Dawn in third.
Approaching the last Stopped Out was leaning to the left between the last two flights snd did lean on Viva Colonia but the latter was beaten at the time.
Another who looked beaten was Penyfan Dawn, who like Grand Bay in the opener looked reluctant to pass the leader.
Despite Richard Johnson trying hard Penyfan Dawn made no impact on the leader on the run-in and Stopped Out came home the 3¼ length winner.
Viva Colonia had to be treated for heat exhaustion after the race.
15:20 A going change – it is now Good to Firm all over.
15:18 Not a great deal to describe in this contest as basically for the first two miles there was little change in the order and only one incident to report.
It’s A Roofer who had vied with Rio Lane for favouritism set the pace, followed by Ortega, Feeling Peckish, High Gliding and Rio Lane.
The incident came at the ninth where, tragically High Gliding, was injured and subsequently had to be put down.
As the field reached the end of the back straight they bunched up and Rio Laine emerged as the challenger to It’s A Roofer.
It could be argued the race was decided at the last as It’s A Roofer and Rio Laine jumped it together, only for It’s A Roofer to peck on landing, although it could be argued he was beaten anyway.
Rio Laine pulled away, without being under any pressure, on the run-in recording a 3¾ length victory.
It’s A Roofer held on for second, with Feeling Peckish third and Ortega coming home in his own time.
14:53 Race two is the Spreadex 10th Anniversary Novices’ Handicap Chase over the extended 2m 4f.
Only five face the starter and an pretty uninspiring bunch in the ring. High Gliding was slightly on his toes, whilst Feeling Peckish must have been just that as he looked about to fall asleep.
14:47 One has to think twice before criticising someone’s horse, especially when it is owned by JP McManus, but Tony McCoy’s mount Grand Bay looked to be a right dog. Taking a strong hold going to the post he was equally unimpressive in the race itself. Held up towards the rear before making progress half a mile from home but seemingly not having the will or desire to hit the front.
Solway Minstrel set out to make all, not easy over 3m 2f and the front running tactics took its toll as he tired turning for home.
Orchard King was settled nearer last than first for most of the contest, making progress on the second circuit before hitting the front turning for home.
He soon eased past the tired Solway Minstrel and with Grand Bay unwilling to challenge he was effectively handed the race, coming home an easy four length winner.
Phone In was with the leader for most of the contest before dropping out half a mile from home.
Old Peak Road tracked the leaders but was well tailed off into the second circuit.
Tora Bora was another with the pace early on before dropping out of contention.
14:18 Our opening contest is the 3m 2f, Visit The New Spreadex.com Handicap Hurdle, our longest race of the day as well.
Seven go to post and they look to be a pretty average lot in the parade ring – no standouts and no negatives.
13:50 Good afternoon from Huntingdon where it is bright with some scattered cloud.
09:14 We have our first non-runner of the day Solway Andbeyond is out of the 15:30.
07:29 After a dry night the official going remains Good to Firm, Good in Places and the forecast for today is dry.
Our selections are:-
2:30 |
7 |
Grand Bay |
3:00 |
2 |
Rio Laine |
3:30 |
4 |
Penyfan Dawn |
4:00 |
1 |
Overrule |
4:30 |
1 |
Pairc Na Gcapall |
5:00 |
10 |
Bonny Zara |
18:32 Monday 12th October
The overnight situation is
Going
Good to Firm, Good in Places (Watering)
(GoingStick: 9.1 on Sunday at 09:30)
Weather
Forecast: Dry through till after racing. Light winds from the
North. Max temps of 14c.
Return to race archive:
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Non-Runners
The time in brackets is the time the horse was officially declared a non-runner.
SC - Self Certificate
VC - Vet's Certificate
Non-runners
15:30
5 Solway Andbeyond (lame - SC 09:02)
17:00
6 Rambling Thunder (going - 16:21)
7 Saddlers Deal (other - SC 13:28)
Results
14:30 Handicap Hurdle 3m 2f
1st 5 Orchard King 11/4 fav
2nd 1 Solway Minstrel 5/1
7 Ran
Distances 4
Fav winner
Tote
Win £3.20
Places £1.80 £2.20
Exacta £15.10
CSF £16.55
Time 5' 53.3"
15:00 Handicap Chase 2m 4f 110yds
1st 2 Rio Laine 9/4 fav
2nd 1 It's A Roofer 11/4
5 Ran
Distances 3 3/4
Fav winner
Tote
Win £3.00
Places £1.60 £2.20
Exacta £15.10
CSF £8.69
Time 4' 57.81"
15:30 Novices' Hurdle 2m 4f 110yds
1st 6 Stopped Out 13/2
2nd 4 Penyfan Dawn 5/4 fav
5 Ran Nr 5
Distances 3 1/4
Fav second
Tote
Win £5.10
Places £1.50 £2.00
Exacta £16.60
CSF £15.70
Time 4' 40.4"
16:00 Handicap Hurdle 2m 110yds
1st 7 Dani's Girl 22/1
2nd 5 Mesbaah 14/1
3rd 4 Dark Energy 10/1
13 Ran
Distances 3 & 3/4
Fav 10 Huguenot 7/2 (6th)
Tote
Win £28.60
Places £6.70 £4.30 £2.20
Exacta £410.90
CSF £278.98
Tricast £3,260.50
Time 3' 36.5"
16:30 Novices' Chase 3m
1st 2 Toby Jug 6/4
2nd 5 Ballyvesey 9/1
5 Ran
Distances 10
Fav 1 Pairc Na Gcapall 6/5 (3rd)
Tote
Win £2.90
Places £1.30 £3.10
Exacta £14.20
CSF £13.39
Time 5' 47.8"
17:00 Open NH Flat 2m 110yds
1st 8 Swing State 13/8 fav
2nd 3 Moscow Tiger 8/1
3rd 5 Rundanphast 9/2
9
Ran Nr's 6 & 7
Distances short head & 2 3/4
Fav winner
Tote
Win £2.30
Places £1.20 £2.00 £1.90
Exacta £13.00
CSF £15.46
Time 3' 35.7"
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