20:33 That’s it from Huntingdon where, despite the overcast weather, they managed to double last years crowd.

A shame the fields were so small.

We continue out free racing trail tomorrow when we head “up north” to Doncaster.

20:31 You do have to question the logic of the race planners in scheduling the longest race of the evening as the last contest in an April evening.

The race was run in gathering gloom and it was almost impossible to make out the runners on the far side through binoculars.

Even looking at the replay on television you can see how gloomy it was.

Gunnadoit was the pace setter, although you were left with the impression it was only under sufferance.

Shergil and McCoy on Knock Em Dead tracked in second spot.

There was no change up front until they were down the back straight for the final time at which point Tom Scudamore took Shergill to the front, although the 15 times champion jockey tracked his every move.

Phare Isle and Wor Rom also ensured the front pair were not allowed too big a lead.

By the time they turned for home Shergill had run his race and it was a three way go up front with Knock Em Dead holding a slight advantage over Wor Rom and Phare Isle.

At the last it was a two runner contest as Knock Em Dead and Wor Rom had shaken off Phare Isle.

Wor Rom hit the front at the last and although McCoy, as always, fought all the way to the line it was Wor Rom who recorded a 1¼ length victory.

20:00 Our final race and they will need headlights is the 3m 2f Totepool Racing’s Biggest Supporter Handicap Hurdle.

Nine line up.

19:34 Race five is the extended 2½ mile Totepool A Better Way To Bet Handicap Chase in which four line up.

American World has a low head carriage and Pairc Na Gcapall is a head shaker.

19:29 The crowd tonight is 2,537 compared with 1,176 for the corresponding meeting last year.

19:26 A heavy late plunge saw Alfloramoor sent off the favourite and, as is he wont, he set off in front with deposed favourite Yonder keeping him company.

Kristallo was with the pace and the other supported runner Millers Dawn was running in snatches.

The writing was on the wall for favourite backers towards the end of the back straight as Alfloramoor virtually pulled up and was soon a tailed off last.

This left Kristallo in front with Purely By Chance  the challenger and Yonder looking to be under pressure after making a mistake three out.

By the time they lined up for home Purely By Chance was well clear and hurdling fluently came home 14 lengths clear.

Yonder rallied, arguably past beaten horses, to take second spot.

19:03 The Totepool Better Choice Better Value Handicap Hurdle is next up, an extended 2m 5f contest.

Seven line up, Petroglyph is the non-runner.

18:58 This is not turning into a good evening for favourite backers and it is just as well it is a gloomy evening weather wise.

Bid Art was sent off the even money favourite and set off in front. However as they went down the back straight for the final time Gainborough’s Art took up the running, although the favourite was still in touch.

Lurking behind was Fort Severn and as they turned for home he hit the front, although not unchallenged  as Lord Gunnerslake was quickly upsides.

They jumped the second last together but as they approached the last Lord Gunnerslake pulled clear.

Coming home unchallenged Lord Gunnerslake recorded a 15 length victory.

Wisenfurst ran on well to grab second spot, with Fort Seven third and the favourite only fourth.

Simplified, tailed off from early on, fell two out, but was OK after the fall.      

18:33 Race three is the extended two mile Totepool 25000 Free Bet Giveaway Handicap Chase in which nine line up.

18:31 Well this is turning into a night for the bookmakers as, for the second race running, the odds-on favourite gets turned over.

This time the jolly, American Cricket, stayed on his feet but was done for speed in the run-in by Vincitore.

American Cricket set the pace and it looked like being a good front running victory.

Last One Standing was the main challenger throughout, only to drop out in the closing stages.

Alexander Beetle was well supported in the ring and really ran in snatches, eventually coming home third he would have done better had he been more consistent.

Vincitore was settled nearer last than first before making late progress.

With the long time leader two out, Vincitore briefly came off the bridle before rallying again and recording a head victory.

18:04 Another neutral bunch in the parade ring, Last One Standing was very relaxed.

18:01 Race two is the Vindis St Ives Novices Hurdle over the extended 2½ miles.

18:00 Well a breathtaking finish to the opener here at Huntingdon.

Only five runners but an incident packed contest.

Belavard set off in front, although it has to be said his jumping was somewhat sketchy, especially at the last on the first circuit where he veered hard left.

As they went out on the final circuit the odds-on favourite Native Bob took up the running, although Belavard did try to challenge again.

They were together until they began the turn for home, by which point we had lost O Ellie, who unseated at the 15th fence.

Native Bob was well clear turning for home and had the race at his mercy.

There was a battle developing for second spot with Red In Bed challenging Belavard for second spot.

Native Bob only had to jemp the last to claim an impressive victory ….. unfortunately his landing gear gave way on landing and his rider had no chance of remaining on board.

There was now a battle for victory as Red In Bed jumped the last in the lead and Belavard put in another iffy jump.

It looked as though Red In Bed would claim victory bur Belavard rallied for, arguably, a very lucky win.

17:27 Our opening contest is the Paul Rackham Champion Novices’ Hunters Chase over three miles in which five line up.

Nothing of any note in the parade ring.

17:21 We have a going change following 2mm of rain, now Good, Good to Firm in places.

The open ditch in front of the stands is being omitted.

16:59 Good news - the rain has stopped

16:06 Good afternoon from Huntingdon where, in contrast to the last week, we have grey cloud and wet stuff lightly falling from the sky – although not enough to justify getting the green wellies out of the boot.

Still just the two non-runners.

Another of the free meetings, Tommo is the ring master, chivvying along the crowds tonight, whilst Iain MacKenzie has the job of entertaining the crowd from the commentary box.

11:34 We have a second non-runner, details on the right.

07:51 It has been a dry night and the forecast is for the possibility of a shower later on today. The official going is currently Good to Firm, Good in Places (watered).

This is day four of the Racing For Change free admission week and Huntingdon is today's only free meeting.

Our selections are:-

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

18:40
9 Galley Slave (bruised foot - SC 11:25)

19:10
1 Petroglyph (stiff - VC 11:52 Wed)

Results

17:40 Hunters' Chase 3m

18:10 Novices Hurdle 2m 4f 110yds

18:40 Handicap Chase 2m 110yds

19:10 Handicap Hurdle 2m 5f 110yds

19:40 Handicap Chase 2m 4f 110yds

20:10 Handicap Hurdle 3m 2f