Huntingdon lost its biggest meeting of the season when the Peterborough Chase card succumbed to a cold snap in December, but the decision to cover the track before its “Sidney Banks” fixture has paid dividends as there are no concerns about today’s meeting despite temperatures of -3C overnight.
There are several runners with Cheltenham Festival aspirations on the cast-list too, despite flat, right-handed Huntingdon being about as far removed from Cheltenham as any course could be. That includes the first three in the betting for the Listed Sidney Banks Novice Hurdle – Vinndication, Western Ryder and Theclockisticking – who between them hold entries for all three of the all-aged novice events next month.
Vinndication, who is unbeaten in three starts including two over hurdles, was the early favourite, while Western Ryder, who started favourite for the Grade One Tolworth Novice Hurdle last time but finished well beaten, was next in the list, but both are a little weak in the market this morning in the face of support for Theclockisticking (2.15). The money may prove to be on the mark, as Stuart Edmunds’s runner was within five lengths of the winner in a well-run Grade Two at Ascot last time out and is likely to improve for today’s step up in trip.
Elsewhere on the Huntingdon card, Argyle (1.15) could be worth backing to follow up his recent win at Plumpton, while Amberjam (3.55) is solid at around 9-2 in the three-mile handicap hurdle later in the afternoon and Red Indian (2.50) should also go well.
For the second year running, just three go to post for the three-mile novice chase at Doncaster, but since last year’s winner, Might Bite, has since won the RSA Chase and the King George, it could be a race to keep an eye on. Nicky Henderson, Might Bite’s trainer, saddles the outsider of the three in Baden, but he was 15 lengths behind Dingo Dollar (2.25) at Newbury last time and it is difficult to see him bridging the gap.
Fareeq (7.00) is one more to consider closely, on the Flat card at Chelmsford City this evening. He was less than a length in front of the runner-up over course and distance last time out, but the fifth horse home is a winner since and the time of the race suggests it was the best performance of Fareeq’s career by some margin. Off just a 3lb higher mark this evening, he is an excellent price at around 2-1 even from a wide draw in stall nine.
Thursday's tips, by Greg Wood
Huntingdon: 1.15 Argyle, 1.45 Midnight Target, 2.15 Theclockisticking, 2.50 Red Indian (nb), 3.20 Glenforde, 3.55 Amberjam, 4.30 Sparkling Dawn
Towcester: 1.50 Piton Pete, 2.20 Wood Pigeon, 2.55 Lady Karina
3.25 Tommy Rapper, 4.00 Leith Hill Legasi, 4.35 Gonnabegood
Doncaster: 1.55 Washed Ashore, 2.25 Dingo Dollar, 3.00 Paisley Park, 3.30 Gunfleet, 4.05 Jurby, 4.40 Flow With Eve
Newcastle: 2.05 Traditional Dancer, 2.40 Lexington Law, 3.10 Highwayman, 3.45 Bollihope, 4.20 Henpecked, 4.55 King Oswald, 5.30 Mayfair Rock
Chelmsford City: 5.55 Dor's Law, 6.30 Dark Freedom, 7.00 Fareeq (nap), 7.30 Evanescent, 8.00 Shamshon, 8.30 Poetic Imagination, 9.00 Samphire Coast
