2.40pm Huntingdon Tips & Betting Preview 29/01/2016

2.40pm Huntingdon Friday 29th January

Free Tip: Westren Warrior at 4/1

Race Details

Race Time: 2.40pm Meeting: Huntingdon Day: Friday 29th January 2015 Full Race Name: Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle (Series Qualifier) Class Two

Race Preview:

Not only interesting but important as well as one of the qualifiers for those horses looking to get in to the final at Cheltenham in March. One thing we can be sure is this will be compitive with a prospective bigger prize on the horizon, but defining those looking to place today and avoid too much punishment from the handicapper could yet be the key……

1 Un Ace (12/1) – Better known over fences these days where he did well enough with three wins from seven attempts, and at the likes of Ascot, Doncaster – and here at Huntingdon. Yet to win beyond two and a half miles over hurdles or fences and may find this stretching his stamina with top weight the added burden that seems likely to stop him, though he is well in in comparison to his chase rating.

2 Singlefarmpayment (7/2) – very much on the up and up for Ledbury trainer Tom Lacey with two seconds and then two wins in his last four races. Stable without a winner from just the two runners in the last fortnight which is a concern, though he was pretty impressive last time out in a similar standard at Cheltenham and has only been put up eight pounds which may not be enough to stop him.

3 Westren Warrior (4/1) – Trained by the excellent Dr Richard Newland who won the race in 2012 with Theologist, the seven year old son of Westerner has a pretty progressive profile and only lacks a little in experience. Won a three mile hurdle at Sligo in August 2015 on heavy going so his stamina is not an issue, but has a touch of speed as well if needed and has won over less than this marathon trip  – improving fast and the one for us.

4 Ascendant (28/1) – Fully exposed over shorter trips which may be why they have decided to try him over longer though no evidence as yet that he has the required stamina. Two miles five is his limit to date as far as wins are concerned and he may well be in the handicappers’ grasp, with the better going all we can see that is in his favour his afternoon.

5 So Fine (14/1) – One of only two distance winners in the field but now ten years old and unlikely to be improving. Three pounds higher than his best winning mark he could struggle today, though he can be forgiven his last effort when a mistake at the ninth pretty much ended his chances. Will like the predicted going and could make a place but should find the younger brigade too good nowadays.

6 Kerisper (7/1) – As a point to point winner at Loughbrickland over three miles his stamina should not be an issue, and he could yet have a bit more to offer. Ran well on his first attempt at this sort of trip at Doncaster when third to Zeroeshadesofgrey despite being carried left late on and should wins races, though a rise of four pounds isn’t that generous from the handicapper.

7 Taj Badalandabad (16/1) – One of the more interesting contenders as he has his first attempt at a marathon trip. Looked a horse going places with two bumper wins over two miles in May 2014 and two novice hurdle wins over the same trip in November and December the same year. None of his known relatives got this trip under rules which is a big worry, and his last two races have seen disappointing efforts at Ffos Las and Sandown leaving him with plenty to prove, though if he bounces back to his best all things are possible.

8 Eminent Poet (13/2) – A full brother to Orzare who peaked off a handicap mark of 132, the son of Montjeu has won his last two races at Taunton and Towcester with any amount in hand, though over two miles three and two miles respectively – and both on heavy going. He has been put up a massive seventeen pounds for his last win but is this step up in trip all part of a plan we wonder?

9 Invicta Lake (28/1) – The only other distance winner in the field (see So Fine), he scored at Plumpton in October 2014 but off a rating eight pounds lower than he faces here. He has won at Sandown off a pound lower so all is not lost, and although he has lost his last six races he has slipped down the weights quite rapidly to a mark he may yet be competitive off of once again.

10 Amiral Collonges (9/2) – Joint bottom weight and one of the youngest in the field, he won a couple of races at Argentan and Loudeac over fences in France before moving to the James Evans yard in Worcestershire. He was entitled to need his first run in seven months when third over a woefully inadequate two and a quarter miles at Market Rasen but improved dramatically at a little shy of three miles to win a novice handicap hurdle at Ascot last time out with plenty left in the tank. Put up ten pounds for that effort he may have more to offer and seems sure to be there or thereabouts at the end of the race.

Conclusion:

We are sweet on the chances of Westren Warrior (4/1) here as he looks to be gong the right way and should improve again for another step up in trip. Will relish the underfoot conditions and is in our view weighted to reverse Southwell form with Singlefarmpayment today.