07:49 There has been 4mm of rain in the past 24 hours. The official going is Soft on the chase course and Soft, Good to Soft in places on the hurdle course.

There are, currently, no non-runners.

10:04 We have the going stick readings now and the score on the door is Chase 5.2 and Hurdle 5.7

12:02 Good afternoon from a sunny Huntingdon, where there is a slight, chilly, breeze.

13:29 Our opening contest is the Connolly's Red Mills Horsefeed National Hunt Novices' Handicap Hurdle, an extended 2m 4f contest with eight off to post.

Some nice looking sorts in this opener but Spirit D'Armor really caught the eye. Raifteiri was a little bit jig-joggy and Theairbaloon was pulling slightly. Somebody told me Isleofhopendreams looked as though he was smiling.

13:50 AP McCoys first run on his return from injury resulted in a second place on his return in the Warwick bumper yesterday and he had to settle for second spot as he returned to obstacles today.

The spoils went to our paddock pick Spirit D'Armor, who was given a patient ride by Aidan Coleman before making his move as they turned for home. Upsides McCoy on Saves Time as they lined up for home he was clear as they jumped two out and he pulled clear to record a four length victory.

It was 21 lengths back to third placed Isleofhopendreams, who was very much on and off the bridle in the race and would have finished closer if more consistent.

Franklin Roosevelt was with the pace for most of the contest before dropping out tamely.  

14:04 Race two is the extended 2m 5f Connolly's Red Mills Supporting Racing Handicap Hurdle with nine off to post.

Unlike the previous race the Williams runner, Old Way, was far from the paddock pick and was equally unappealing going to post.

14:20 Balerina comes home on her toes in the second in a good finish, even though they are struggling to get through the ground.

She hit the front approaching two out after it had looked to be a duel between Drussell and Cap Falco. However there was to be a Towcesteresque finish as Balerina came through to lead between the final two flights being well clear as they pulled away. Drussell was determined to make a fight of it and he chased the leader but finishing on best of all was Ministerofinterior who came with a wet sail to give McCoy another second place.

Cap Falco could not respond to the fast finishers and had to settle for fourth. 

14:36 Our first chase is the three mile Connolly's Red Mills Racehorse Cubes Novices' Chase with just five off to post.

This is one of those races which says don't play from a betting perspective - some pretty ordinary horses. Negative is Court Red Handed who was quite on his toes.

14:51 Well that was almost embarrassing as the paddock negative led everywhere apart from on the line. Court Red Handed set out to make all and it looked as though the tactic was going to pay off as he still led clearing the last.

The only one who looked likely to catch him was the favourite Clash Duff but he looked to give away a fair amount of ground as he came right over to the stands rail. Backers need not have feared as Clash Duff edged ahead in the final strides to record a half length victory.

Noble Witness jumped like a stag in the early stages before dropping back to join the other two in a private race in rear.

Supreme de Paille was anything but supreme in the jumping department and the only surprise was he got as far as the last fence before decanting his rider Paddy Brennan.

15:07 The Pertemps Handicap Hurdle is next, a 3m 2f contest with 11 off to post.

Some nice looking horses in the next with Oscargo, Allthekingshorses and Lightning Strike all catching the eye. With slight preference for the latter.

There was a good battle for third spot in which Elite Beneficial edged out Noble Witness, although they were 62 lengths behind the front pair. 

15:21 Another good finish and this was a contest for the front runners as Theologist and Tour Des Champs, who had shared the pace throughout, were still battling it out on the run-in.

Theologist had the advantage coming out of the final flight but Tour Des Champs was determined to regain the lead he ceded to his rival at they turned into the back straight. Despite the effort Theologist held off the challenge to record a ¾ length victory.

Lightning Strike looked poised to strike with a double for Venetia Williams and Aidan Coleman but ultimately had to settle for third spot.  

15:35 Another three mile chase as five go to post for the Conolly's Red Mills Horsecare Novices' Handicap Chase.

A couple of eye catchers in the parade ring with Gemini King looking nice and even nicer when his rug came off. But even more eye catching was Pingaro De La Vire.

15:50 Well Pingaro De La Vire obliged but it was close run Musical Wedge pressing him all the way home and his rider may have got closer than the length and a half he did had moved across sooner.

For most of the contest there was little change in the order with Musical Wedge and Gemini Jim  being folloewd by Kilascan and the favourite with Somewhatinevitable in rear.  

As they spun for home Pingaro De La Vire joined the front three and battle was joined. Gemini Jim was the first to crack leaving the other pair to battle out the finish.

16:07 Our final contest is the extended two mile Connolly's Red Mills Grocare Balance Novices' Hurdle with ten off to post.

16:25 A final race for paddock picks and favourite backers as Ile De Re makes all to take the prize money.

There was a scare as Dry Of Freedom challenged in the closing stages but he lost any chance of winning with some very iffy jumping and he had to settle for the runners-up spot some 4½ lengths in arrears.

Kings Bayonet made some eye catching progress as they swung for home but he flattered to deceive, only finishing third, a further eight lengths back down the field.

Favoured Nation under AP McCoy was handily placed when he badly blundered at the fifth ruining his chance but also interfering with Regal Park, effectively ending his chance as well.

16:35 That's it from Huntingdon where racegoers were treated to a few decent finishes as well as three rides for AP, his first over obstacles this year following his fall at Taunton at the tail end of December in which he broke a few ribs.

Tomorrow it's off to Cheltenham for Festival trials day and what promises to be a great days racing.

From Huntingdon a very good afternoon.

 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

13:40
5 Osmosia (travel - 09:05)

15:40
2 Minella Bliss (travel - 11:32)

16:10
5 Layline (going - 15:04)
9 Seventh Sky (bruised foot - VC 10:37)

Results

13:40 Handicap Hurdle 2m 4f 110yds

14:10 Handicap Hurdle 2m5f 110yds

14:40 Novices' Chase 3m

15:10 Handicap Hurdle 3m 2f

15:40 Handicap Chase 3m

16:10 Novices' Hurdle 2m 110yds