March 12 / 13.38 Huntingdon

13.38

Good

Visit Huntingdon For Your Next Conference Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £3812.2
  • 1m 7f 171y
  • Class 4
  • 11 runners
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Visit Huntingdon For Your Next Conference Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

7/1 (Won)

  • Win: £6.70
  • Place: £1.70

Form: 36

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Went close on Irish point debut in 2023 and was placed in soft-ground Carlisle bumper on rules debut in December; last month's hurdling debut at Taunton (2m, good to soft) was disappointing but it would be foolish to write him off after that.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

4

12th Jun 2026

Good

2m 5f 89y

Class 4

19:26 Market Rasen

Maximum Offers

11st 9lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

Has won two small-field chases over 3m1f on good ground at Hereford since returning from a winter break and being tried in cheekpieces; up 7lb; down in trip but a contender.

6/4

1st

1

5th May 2026

Good

3m 1f 44y

Class 4

17:42 Hereford

Maximum Offers

12st 0lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

Beat the only other finisher by 35l over C&D (good) last month on third chase attempt and second start in cheekpieces; open to further progress in this sphere and warrants respect up just 2lb.

5/2

9/4

  • Place: £1.10

Form: 24

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 6lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Placed in Irish points last year and made the frame on both hurdle starts last month; ran to fair level when keeping-on fourth of 12 at Southwell (2m, good to soft) on latter occasion and has a big role to play here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

16th

9

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 149y

Class 1

13:20 Aintree

Absolutely Doyen

11st 2lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Successful on his first five starts for Paul Nicholls; winning run ended when eighth of 24 to Supremely West in the Pertemps but he did stay on again after getting outpaced; likely to be competitive.

12/1

8th

8

12th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 213y

Class 1

16:40 Cheltenham

Absolutely Doyen

10st 11lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

5-5 for Paul Nicholls (good/good to soft) and the last three of those races were over 3m, including in the Wincanton qualifier; racking up the wins would be a highly unusual profile for a Pertemps Final winner but he keeps finishing off the opposition in storming fashion and could easily still have more to give; on the shortlist.

14/1

1st

1

31st Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 2

15:00 Musselburgh

Absolutely Doyen

11st 8lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Paul Nicholls

Made it 4-4 for Paul Nicholls (good/good to soft) when readily winning 3m handicap at Wincanton on Boxing Day; runner-up in a point on soft ground; if conditions suit he holds leading claims under 8lb penalty.

5/6

11/2

  • Place: £1.90

Form: 4

Last run: 47 days

W: 11st 6lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
From family with which Pam Sly has done well; only beaten about 6l when 50-1 fourth on debut at Doncaster in January (2m, good to soft; winner ran well in valuable handicap on Saturday) but that race developed into a sprint and the form is treated with a degree of caution.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

4th Apr 2026

Good

1m 7f 171y

Class 4

18:00 Huntingdon

Sleeping Late

11st 9lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Pam Sly

0-7 and was below form following a short break when eighth at Stratford (2m, soft) last month; needs to bounce back on this drop in grade on better ground.

8/1

8th

10

9th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 0f 70y

Class 3

15:20 Stratford

Sleeping Late

10st 13lb

J: Jack Andrews

T: Pam Sly

Yet to win (0-6) but he ran his best race yet when second at Fakenham (2m Class 4, soft; 6-1) on latest start; competes from the same mark on return from an 11-week absence; needs to his raise game further in this more competitive contest.

9/1

5th

8

1st Nov 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 3

12:40 Wetherby

Sleeping Late

11st 0lb

J: Jack Andrews

T: Pam Sly

There's a suspicion he'll come into his own when tackling further and he'll be vulnerable if bumping into anything useful, but he was runner-up in a C&D maiden (good) in March when last seen and that form has been franked; has also run well on good to soft; strong claims.

7/4

Form: 63/18- D

Last run: 481 days

W: 11st 6lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won good-ground bumper in September 2023 but made disappointing hurdle debut two months later and has raced exclusively on the Flat since; recorded RPR of 77 when scoring on Tapeta in October and has more than enough raw ability to feature here but needs to prove himself over jumps.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

(5)

31st May 2026

Good

1m 6f 0y

Class 5

16:25 Nottingham

Little Peter

9st 6lb

J: Gina Mangan

T: John Berry

A fair 2m winner at his best but he came in last in 2m Newcastle handicap in December; won a point last month though so is no forlorn hope.

14/1

6th

5

(3)

9th May 2025

Good To Firm

1m 7f 209y

Class 4

17:10 Ascot

Little Peter

9st 5lb

J: Harry Burns

T: John Berry

took keen hold, in touch with leaders, weakened over 1f out

10/1

6th

5

(3)

9th May 2025

Good To Firm

1m 7f 209y

Class 4

17:10 Ascot

Little Peter

9st 5lb

J: Harry Burns

T: John Berry

took keen hold, in touch with leaders, weakened over 1f out

10/1

Form: 6-

Last run: 326 days

W: 11st 6lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Showed only minor promise when sixth in Bangor bumper for Paul Webber last April and makes stable/hurdle debut after 11-month absence.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

22nd May 2026

Good

2m 0f 110y

Class 5

16:57 Worcester

Bongo Man

12st 0lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Billy Aprahamian

Nine-race maiden who has been inconsistent over hurdles but he was a close second in a Huntingdon handicap (2m, good; tongue-tie added) on his penultimate run; on same mark here and has possibilities if he can recapture that form on this switch to fences.

3/1

7th

2

6th Apr 2026

Good

2m 0f 53y

Class 5

14:45 Hereford

Bongo Man

12st 0lb

J: Joe Anderson

T: Billy Aprahamian

Initially failed to show any immediate benefit from wind surgery in three subsequent runs (2m to extended 2m4f) but latest effort, fitted with a tongue-tie and going close at Huntingdon (2m, good) last month, was a marked step forward; it will be interesting to see if he can build on that and 3lb claimer is booked.

9/2

2nd

1

11th Mar 2026

Good

1m 7f 171y

Class 5

15:38 Huntingdon

Bongo Man

12st 0lb

J: Jack Andrews

T: Billy Aprahamian

Expensive to follow in maiden company, including twice at short prices over C&D last year; poor in two starts over further since undergoing wind surgery (reported to have stopped quickly last time) and the first-time tongue-tie will need to help.

16/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 6lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Fair on the Flat at around 7f when owner-trained, with all three wins gained on the AW; ended 2024 with a below-par run, though, and stamina is a possible issue on this hurdling debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

6

(1)

20th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 7f 1y

Class 5

15:12 Lingfield (AW)

My Mate Mike

9st 6lb

J: David Probert

T: Dean Ivory

Won a 7f handicap at Southwell on his second run back with Dean Ivory; unable to back it up in a Class 5 a fortnight later; fully effective over C&D but others appear to hold stronger claims.

12/1

6th

5

(8)

20th Feb 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 5

16:58 Southwell (AW)

My Mate Mike

9st 6lb

J: Robert Havlin

T: Dean Ivory

Beat only one rival home at Chelmsford (1m, AW) on his first start since returning to this yard following a 161-day break, but he stepped forward from that when winning over this C&D 15 days ago; up in grade following a 3lb rise.

7/1

1st

3

(11)

5th Feb 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

20:00 Southwell (AW)

My Mate Mike

9st 8lb

J: Robert Havlin

T: Dean Ivory

Back with former yard after five months off but beat just one in 1m Chelmsford handicap three weeks ago; a fair 7f winner at his best, so he can't be totally dismissed with that run under his belt.

12/1

Form: 2-1424 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Won good-ground Market Rasen bumper last spring and has made the frame on both hurdling starts; put in good front-running shift and ran better than finishing position suggests when fourth over C&D (good to soft) last month; tongue-tie added today; major player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

(6)

8th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 7f 189y

Class 6

16:00 Catterick

Not So Sobers

9st 9lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David Killahena & Graeme McPherson

Won over hurdles at Hereford in May and followed up on the Flat over this C&D (good to firm); it's disconcerting he was pulled up on his chase debut at Stratford three weeks ago but he may well bounce back and play a leading role reverting to this code.

10/11

4

16th Jun 2026

Good

2m 0f 213y

Class 4

15:15 Stratford

Not So Sobers

11st 4lb

J: David Bass

T: David Killahena & Graeme McPherson

Made all over hurdles at Hereford (2m, good) last month and followed up on the Flat 17 days ago; not bred for fences but evidently in good nick; no surprise if he makes a bold bid on chasing debut.

9/2

1st

3

(5)

30th May 2026

Good

1m 7f 189y

Class 6

15:35 Catterick

Not So Sobers

9st 7lb

J: Luke Morris

T: David Killahena & Graeme McPherson

Hurdle/bumper winner (won 2m novice handicap hurdle on latest outing), but perhaps not as effective on the Flat, although was beaten only 1.75l when third of seven off a 2lb higher mark at Chelmsford in February (1m6f); a possible.

7/2

OUR TIP

Form: 7-P

Last run: 84 days

W: 11st 6lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Well beaten in junior hurdle for Ben Pauling in December 2023 and pulled up when returning from one-year absence for new stable; needs subsequent wind op to have made a massive difference.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

1st Apr 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

14:52 Kempton

Kingly Fighter

11st 0lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Alex Hales

Well beaten all three starts, most recently when 200-1 for Huntingdon maiden (2m, good; first run after wind surgery) last month; makes handicap debut from a lowly mark but needs to take a big step forward.

16/1

7

1st Apr 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

14:52 Kempton

Kingly Fighter

11st 0lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Alex Hales

in rear

16/1

8th

3

12th Mar 2025

Good

1m 7f 171y

Class 4

13:38 Huntingdon

Kingly Fighter

11st 6lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Alex Hales

held up in rear

50/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 10st 10lb

4 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Went close to a breakthrough Flat win for Jack Channon at Newbury (1m; RPR 77) last summer but quickly became very disappointing in that sphere; went through the ring unsold at 900gns in September; probably best watched on stable/hurdle debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

25th Jun 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

16:33 Worcester

Brindley

10st 13lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Patrick Neville

Overall record of 0-16 but he's fairly useful on the Flat and has shown some promise over hurdles, including when second at Southwell (2m, good) two weeks ago; this is a deeper race but he's been dropped another 2lb and is not ruled out.

11/4

2nd

4

9th Jun 2025

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 5

15:45 Southwell

Brindley

11st 1lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Patrick Neville

Useful on the Flat but beaten 26l and 16l in two handicaps over hurdles, the latest on good ground here; has to step up but that's realistic.

4/1

3rd

3

12th May 2025

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 5

15:30 Southwell

Brindley

11st 3lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Patrick Neville

prominent

3/1

100/1

Form: 588

Last run: 20 days

W: 10st 10lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Soundly beaten on both hurdling starts, latterly when a 250-1 outsider for C&D (good to soft) maiden three weeks ago.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

23rd Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 5f 164y

Class 5

16:50 Fontwell

Slemish

10st 11lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Laura Horsfall

Disappointed when favourite at Hexham three weeks ago but was clear second to another handicap debutant here (2m3f, good to soft; first-time cheekpieces) in August and has good claims if judged on that performance.

5/1

5th

8

3rd Oct 2025

Good

2m 4f 28y

Class 5

14:45 Hexham

Slemish

10st 13lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Laura Horsfall

Soundly beaten in all three qualifying races last season but displayed significant improvement when clear second to another handicap debutant at Fontwell (2m3f, good to soft; first-time cheekpieces) in August; good chance.

13/8

2nd

13

29th Aug 2025

Good

2m 3f 29y

Class 5

17:48 Fontwell

Slemish

10st 5lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Laura Horsfall

Makes handicap debut from a lowly mark but showed no significant promise in his three qualifying races in February/March (2m-2m4f); sports first-time cheekpieces; improvement required.

25/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 10st 10lb

4 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won on Flat debut (1m, AW; RPR 70) for Hugo Palmer in January 2024 and posted some fairly good efforts in defeat at up to 12.5f afterwards but was out of form when last seen last summer and makes only limited appeal on this stable/hurdle debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

12th Mar 2025

Good

1m 7f 171y

Class 4

13:38 Huntingdon

Swordstick

10st 10lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Jake Thomas Coulson

held up in rear

20/1

6th

7

(1)

4th Aug 2024

Good

1m 4f 63y

Class 4

17:05 Chester

Swordstick

9st 0lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Hugo Palmer

Below form after racing a bit too freely in 1m6f race won by Sea Grey here three weeks ago but his two previous runs (10.3f/12.5f) were very respectable and, after only six starts, he's not yet fully exposed; could have a say if aided by addition of tongue-tie and/or cheekpieces.

5/1

8th

11

(4)

13th Jul 2024

Good To Soft

1m 6f 87y

Class 4

17:30 Chester

Swordstick

8st 7lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Hugo Palmer

Son of Zoffany made a winning start in 1m Southwell maiden early in 2024 and he has continued in good form in handicaps, third at Newcastle (1m4f) 16 days ago; not discounted stepping up in distance.

8/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £13.20
Straight Forecast £13.25
Trifecta £45.50

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Not So Sobers

The Times:

Absolutely Doyen

The Star:

Sleeping Late

LAMBOURN:

Maximum Offers

TOPSPEED:

Not So Sobers

POSTDATA:

Not So Sobers

Telegraph:

Not So Sobers

The Guardian:

Not So Sobers

Daily Mail:

Not So Sobers

D Express:

Not So Sobers

The Sun:

Not So Sobers

Daily Record:

Not So Sobers

Daily Mirror:

Absolutely Doyen