7.05pm Huntingdon Tips & Betting Preview 23/05/2017

A field of eight go to post for the fourth race of the day at Huntingdon on Tuesday, see our betting tips and the full race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: If building on his latest run at Sedgefield Knight’s Parade could be a threat and Pongo Twistleton should go well back in handicap company, but this can go to Emma Lavelle’s VENDREDI TROIS. He seems well handicapped on the basis of his sole chasing win and he acquitted himself well on his penultimate hurdling start at Stratford back in July. He can be forgiven his seasonal debut at Chepstow as he likely needed it and with conditions to suit and the yard in brilliant form, he should be going very close under Daryl Jacob.

1 KNIGHT’S PARADE – Highly tried seven year old who had been solidly out of form this season until posting an improved effort when third at Sedgefield earlier this month, staying on well but never looking the winner after being outpaced at a crucial stage. On that basis stepping back in trip doesn’t look an obvious move and more is certainly needed off the same mark despite Graham Carson taking off a useful 10lb. Likely place contender if in the same form again, but that is far from guaranteed.

2 ROYAL BATTALION – Has a very patchy record over hurdles for Gary Moore and he’s not one to rely on heavily, winning five starts ago at Fontwell off a three pound higher mark but he has been decidedly poor in four runs since then. His latest run at Plumpton was another very poor effort when weakening out of things very tamely when asked for a effort and he clearly isn’t enjoying his racing at present. That was a return from an absence so perhaps that effort can be forgiven, but he has a lot to prove and despite conditions being to suit, others look far more likely.

3 TELL THE TALE – Showed some promise in novice and maiden races but looked very one paced on handicap debut for Neil Mulholland when forth at Towcester, hinting that he likely needs a trip like this to show his best. His pedigree goes some way to agreeing with that and he’s been dropped 2lb in the handicap, which is another big help. Conditions are to suit and James King takes off a further 5lb from his back, so a bold bid is expected as long as he stays, which seems likely.

4 BARE NECESSITIES – Showed promise over hurdles back in 2015 but when returning from a long absence this season he has been solidly beaten on both his starts. He fell on his reappearance at Huntingdon and although that can be waved, what cannot be forgotten is his very poor run at Market Rasen three weeks ago. Others make far more appeal and it’s hard to recommend him on what he’s currently showing.

5 OAKIDOAKI – Lightly raced five year old for Brendan Powell who has only raced five times thus far, showing promise on two of his three hurdling runs so far. He finished a good third at Fontwell in January on his second hurdling run and makes his handicap debut off a mark of 105 on the back of a poor display in better company at Fakenham in February. A case can certainly be made for him on the back of those maiden efforts but the better ground would be a slight question mark and the stable aren’t exactly in blistering form. Likely each way player but perhaps that is all.

6 VENDREDI TRIOS – Capped off last season when finishing second at Stratford in similar conditions to today’s for Emma Lavelle when rallying gamely but he returned this season with a very flat effort when well beaten at Chepstow in April. You can forgive that effort as he likely needed it and with the stable and jockey going so well at present, he looks a very lively danger with conditions to suit and the step up in trip likely a big help. He looks well handicapped based on his chasing form which does enhance his claims further and he can make his presence felt.

7 PONGO TWISTLETON – Seemed to be aided by the first time tongue-tie when finishing forth on a return from a break at Southwell, keeping on well but never able to get into a challenging position. Conditions are again to suit and the return to handicaps could spark further improvement, as a mark of 106 could underestimate him as a lightly raced four year old with only four hurdling runs under his belt. He’s likely to play a leading role under the in form Aidan Coleman and should be considered.

8 DEFINING YEAR – Nine year old for Dan Skelton who has shown very little on his first three runs over hurdles for the yard, last seen when well beaten at Stratford 15 days ago. On that basis he’s impossible to recommend, but Skelton has been causing surprises with horses in these colours this season and a sudden upturn in form couldn’t be put off the table with Harry taking the ride. He goes 5lb down in the handicap and market support should be carefully noted for this one.