Huntingdon - Thu 7 May 2026
LORIKO has been underwhelming on his last couple of starts, but his form earlier last season was very strong and it would be no surprise to see him bounce back to his best on this occasion. That said, Katarcice is a worthy rival having placed on both starts under Rules and the six-year-old can give the selection plenty to think about.
It is hard to oppose PEP TALKING following his 10-length success over 2m at Chepstow. The step up in trip will not be a problem for him and a 7lb rise should be workable given the ease of that victory. William Cody has been running consistently well in defeat and is likely to be in the mix once again, while Big Boy Barney completes the shortlist.
ANOTHER DAY OUT bounced back to form with a victory over hurdles at this venue in March and the eight-year-old appears to be the safest pick in an open event, especially as a three-time chase winner already. Kit's Coty beat the selection at Ludlow in October and merits consideration in first-time cheekpieces. Catwalk Girl and Lady Jago both have a bit to prove right now, but the former is the pick of the pair.
Last year's winner Mermaids Cave is back for more and is 6lb lower this time. By and large, her recent form warrants that and although she is partnered by a non-claiming rider for the first time in a long time, it would take a leap of faith to back her for a repeat. Maybe it's worth chancing the fitness of HOPE RISING, who showed the darker side to her nature at Chepstow when last seen, but had been in fine form prior and clearly excels on spring/summer ground. So does Notnowlinda, who remains on a handy mark.
The application of cheekpieces sparked GREEDY SMITH into life at Exeter and that career-best second could be the springboard for a breakthrough success. The same headgear goes back on Moviddy, who didn't take to blinkers over fences at Fakenham and now switches back to hurdles. Raby Mere arrives in decent form, while Indian Sunbird is preferred to fellow C&D winner Braganza Bay.
ISLAND GETAWAY showed his inexperience here, but there was promise to take from that fifth placing and the booking of Sean Bowen suggests connections expect him to take a significant step forward. Meli Melo D'angos faded tamely at Hereford so the chief threats are likely to lurk among the unraced brigade. St Julie is related to the yard's Listed-winning hurdler St Irene, who landed a bumper on debut, and looks Nick Scholfield's primary hope, ahead of fellow Blue Bresil filly St Zoe.
Loriko sets the standard with him having only finished out of the first three once in eight career starts but he's not been at his best the last twice, struggling in a soft-ground handicap and then being turned over at short odds back in a maiden hurdle at Plumpton last time. As such, it could pay to side with the potential of KATARCICE. Fergal O'Brien's 6yo comes from a pointing background and both starts under rules have come at this course, finishing third in a bumper and then being something of an eye-catcher on hurdles debut last time. He ought to relish the extra 4f+ of today's contest.
William Cody is sure consistent but he doesn't win often. He'll almost certainly run well but will likely prove vulnerable for win purposes. Big Boy Barney was a C&D winner two starts back and possibly got racing too early last time from a 1lb higher mark than today. He could easily get his head back in front, but PEP TALKING appeals more having won two of his last three starts and scored in good style at Chepstow last time. He's 7lb higher now but could be progressive enough to defy it.
Another Day Out was a winner back hurdling last time and her mark remains fair now back over larger obstacles. Let's go with CATWALK GIRL instead, though, that one having shown enough in four hurdles starts to suggests she can win a race such as this over fences - she was consistent in points. Kit's Coty is consistent enough but she hasn't been seeing her races out and now step back up in trip.
Hope Rising has been off for 208 days since refusing and the break could have done her good. She's certainly capable but couldn't be tipped with any confidence so it might be best to side with NOTNOWLINDA for the Skeltons. She returned to form tried in cheekpieces last time and can go two places better off the same mark here. Mermaids Cave is third choice albeit she hasn't been at her best of late and needs a bounce back.
Braganza Bay likes it here and is 6lb below his last winning mark. He can go well back hurdling but GREEDY SMITH might be a better option. He's yet to win but is coming off his best handicap effort so far, when tried in cheekpieces, and is still open to improvement. Raby Mere has been in decent form, winning at Fakenham two starts back, and comes in as third choice.
A dreadully weak bumper. ISLAND GETAWAY ended up well beaten here on debut but still looked a little green and could improve considerably for that experience. He's from a good yard and rates the most likely winner ahead of Meli Melo d'Angos, who was well held himself on debut but should improve. Nick Scholfield runs two newcomers in St Julie and St Zoe. The market should be revealing regarding their chance.
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