16:42 I have to say it is a long while since I have seen a race run in such gloom, it was very difficult to make out the runners on the far side.

She Is A Cracker and French Leave shared the work up front, with Timon’s Present, Sally Army and Vivarini.

Victory Surge attracted some late support to go off favourite and McCoy kept him settled around fifth or sixth place.

Three of the prominent runners Vivarini, Timon’s Present and French Leave were still in front turning for home, however running on best of all was Galoshes, who hit the front approaching two out.

Whether it was the fading light or just a jumping error the complexion of the race changed at the second last. Galoshes who looked to be running best of all pecked badly on landing and his jockey did well to stay on board.

The mistake allowed Vivarini to get far enough in front to retake the initiative and he stayed on to record a five length victory over the unlucky Galoshes.

16:23 The light is very poor here at Huntingdon for the final contest, virtually impossible to make out runners on the far side through bins.

16:20 Timmy Murphy must be regretting his spare ride as he is going to the start sideways.

16:18 Our final contest is a very tricky Hurdle over the extended 2½ miles, to give it its full name the Brampton “National Hunt” Novices’ Handicap Hurdle.

Our biggest field of the afternoon sees 15 face the starter.

16:13 The painful screams of in-running punters could be heard as I’moncloudnine gets up to head the favourite Ultimate Limit in the closing strides of our final chase of the afternoon.

Both came with late progress in a race where Young Albert set out to make all.

It was running-on runners who contested the closing stages.

First to run-on was Antonius Caesar although Ultimate Limit was not far behind.

Turning for home these two vied for the lead and they jumped the second last together.

However between the last two fences Ultimate Limit ran on and looked home and hosed.

However I’moncloudnine was making relentless progress.

Even half way down the run-in the favourite still looked to be home and hosed but Dougie Costello was digging deep and was not prepared to give up, a tactic which paid off as he eased

I’moncloudnine into the lead yards from the line to record a three-quarter length victory.

15:42 Mighty Man made all to take the Novices’ Chase by 8 lengths.

Although Sullumo was upsides as they turned for home the result never really looked to be in any doubt.

The only negative for the winner was he was hesitant at some of the early fences, but once he got going his jumping was fluent.   

The runners finished well strung out with Sullmo coming home ten lengths behind the leader with Viking Rebel and Starburst Diamond coming home in their own time.

15:21 Next we have the reason as to why the press room is jam packed here this afternoon, that is Mighty Man’s appearance in the Huntingdon Novices’ Chase.

15:19 The rain must have got into the ground as the extended 2m 5f hurdle turned into a slog in the mud.

Key Cutter set out to make all and going out onto the far side for the final time looked the best of the lot.

Still leading turning for home, Ballyveeney looked to be the biggest danger but Cobblers Queen, in the same ownership as Key Cutter, seemed to be relishing the conditions.

Coming to the last the pair were clear but the result was not in doubt as Cobbler’s Queen plugged on through the mud, coming home six clear.

14:55 We have a slight delay at Huntingdon as we await a replacement ambulance.

14:53 Race four is the 2m 5½f TurfTV Handicap Hurdle in which thirteen line up, with I’ve Been Framed the non-runner.

Two jockey changes Wayne Hutchinson replaces Robert Thornton  on board Ballamusic, whilst S Quinlan now rides Petroupetrov.

14:47 An interesting chase and backers of Power Shared will not be overly happy as he planted himself at the start and refused to race.

Of those who consented to race it was Absolute Shambles who set the pace with Celian and That Vango who set the steady pace in declining conditions.

As they began their final circuit Absolute Shambles and Thai Vango still had the advantage, with favourite Sir Winston and Local Present tracking.

Five out Ouragan Lagrange fell interfering with the tiring Celian.

Up front Thai Vango had clear lead with Sir Winston in with every chance as the took the final ditch.

By three out the favourite looked to be under pressure and it was Local Present who ran on to challenge.

Turning for home Thai Vango and Local Present looked to be the ones to battle out the finish, however had the riders taken a peek over their shoulders they would have seen the bottom weight
Roseneath making steady progress.

Two out this trio were clear of their rivals.

Between the final two fences Roseneath continued to make progress and although Thai Vango was still in front it was only a matter of time.

14:11 Oddly enough all three chases this afternoon are three mile contests. The first of them is the Racing UK Novices’ Handicap Chase in which thirteen face the starter.

14:09 It has started raining here

14:06 Well Mille Chief duly won his race, coming home six clear of his nearest market rival Great Reason, with 20/1 shot Rock ‘n’ Roller filling third spot a further nine behind.

Princess Rainbow, the only filly in the field set the pace, although she set off so fast she was on her own in the early stages eventually coming back to the field down the far side.

Great Reason led the main group with Argentis with the pace also.

As they ran down the back straight Mohi Rahrere made some eye catching progress but the challenge was short lived.

Wayne Hutchinson, deputising for Choc Thornton, settled the favourite in about fifth place.

As they turned for home Princess Rainbow still had the advantage but she soon dropped out quickly.

Entering the home straight the top two in the betting had the lead and were pulling clear of their rivals. They were upsides two out, however any faint hopes backers of Great Reason may have had were swiftly dispelled as Mille Chief pilled clear.

By the run-in it was a procession with Mille Chief hacking home opening up a six length lead on Great Reason.

13:45 Next up is division two of the Novices’ Hurdle where the “star” is Alan King’s Mille Chief currently trading a very short 1/4.

13:34 Up To The Mark and Osric, who was the original favourite set the pace, with the well backed Action Impact tracking the front pair.

Cheshire Prince, carrying a penalty, was settled middle to rear.

The complexion of the race changed as they came to the end of the back straight.

Osric and Up To The Mark were still in the lead but Action Impact was running on well and poised to hit the front.

However Alex Merriam had quietly made eye catching progress through the field to be upsides of Action Impact jumping the last.

They were still side by side coming to the last but Cheshire Prince put in the better hump and was soon clear, coming home two lengths clear.   

Action Impact was unable to respond and indeed the runner-up was being closed down by Ostland who was another running on well in the final stages, eventually coming to within 1½ lengths of the favourite.

13:17 Osric, who looked very narrow in the ring, is the favourite at around 9/4 although there has been a good word for Gary Moore’s Action Impact here on course.

13:14 As they come out of the parade ring Lots Of Fun doesn’t seem too keen to have AP MCoy on his back.

13:11 Our opening contest is the extended two mile Huntingdon Racecourse For Outdoor Events Novices’ Hurdle (Division 1).

Paint The Clouds is the negative in the parade ring, very much on his toes. Mauritino was jig-jogging around well.

13:00 Another very disappointing crowd here at Huntingdon, which is a shame as it is a lovely course and there are some good fields this afternoon.

12:18 No surprise Choc Thornton is not riding today after his fall at Leicester yesterday. The good news is he has been released from hospital with nothing more than heavy bruising. He expects to be out of action for about ten days.

The first three of his rides here this afternoon will be taken by Wayne Hutchinson.

12:13 Good afternoon from Huntingdon, where the weather is overcast but it is bitterly cold with temperatures hovering just above freezing.

We still have just the one non-runner, which will be in your morning papers.

08:30 It's all systems go, the meeting has passed its inspection and racing goes ahead.

Our selections are:-

07:45 Temperatures dropped to -3 at midnight but have slowly risen since. Inspection about to take place.

22:32 Tuesday

The advance report is:-

Going

Soft (GoingStick: 6.1 on Tuesday at 07:00)

Dry overnight.
Forecast: Tuesday - Chance of early drizzle, cold day max temp of 2c. Overnight low of -1/-2. Wednesday - Rain showers with sunny spells, daytime high of 5c.
Take offs and landings have been covered alongside some other vulnerable areas.

PRECAUTIONARY INSPECTION 8.00AM

Return to race archive:

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

14:50
3 I've Been Framed (Bad Scope - SC 11:51 Tue)

Results

13:20 Novices' Hurdle (Div 1) 2m 110yds

1st 1 Cheshire Prince 4/1
2nd 3 Action Impact 85/40 fav
3rd 2 Ostland 13/2
14 Ran
Distances 2 & 1½
Fav second
Tote
Win £4.90
Places £1.60 £1.50 £2.50
Exacta £15.90
CSF £12.75
Time 4' 03.2"

13:50 Novices' Hurdle (Div 2) 2m 110yds

1st  13 Mille Chief 2/9 fav
2nd 7 Great Reason 13/2
3rd 10 Rock 'n' Roller 20/1
14 Ran
Distances 6 & 9
Fav winner
Tote
Win £1.20
Places £1.02 £1.20 £2.20
Exacta £2.70
CSF £1.70
Time 4' 03.3"

14:20 Handicap Chase 3m

1st  13 Roseneath 16/1
2nd 3 Thai Vango 12/1
3rd 12 Local Present 16/1
13 Ran
Distances 1 & 9
Fav 8 Sir Winston 2/1 (4th)
Tote
Win £22.20
Places £5.90 £5.10 £6.80
Exacta £211.10
CSF £174.68
Tricast £3,104.34
Time 6' 28.3"

14:50 Handicap Hurdle 2m 5f 110yds

1st 9 Cobblers Queen 5/1 jf
2nd 2 Key Cutter 15/2
3rd 8 Ballyveeney 12/1
13 Ran Nr 3
Distances 6 & 1¼
Fav winner & No 5
Tote
Win £5.90
Places £1.40 £3.00 £4.20
Exacta £29.10
CSF £41.19
Tricast £453.04
Time No time taken

15:20 Novices' Chase 3m

1st 1 Mighty Man 8/13 fav
2nd 2 Sullomo 9/2
5 Ran
Distances 8
Fav winner
Tote
Win £1.50
Places £1.10 £2.00
Exacta £3.60
CSF £3.82
Time 6' 27.9"

15:50 Handicap Chase 3m

1st 
2nd
3rd 
10 Ran
Distances
Fav
Tote
Win £
Places £ £ £
Exacta £
CSF £
Tricast £
Time

14:20 Handicap Hurdle 2m 4f 110yds

1st  13 Vivarini 9/2
2nd 1 Galoshes 8/1
3rd 6 Knight Woodsman 12/1
15 Ran
Distances 5 & 5
Fav 4 Victory Surge 4/1 (7th)
Tote
Win £5.20
Places £2.10 £3.10 £4.90
Exacta £57.60
CSF £37.41
Tricast £409.33
Time 5' 09.7"