2:36 Huntingdon
This Class 4 handicap hurdle at Huntingdon over 1m7f171y on good ground brings together eight runners, several of whom hold smart ability on their best form. The KTB Fit Scores identify Zafaan as the clear top pick on 77, with Gallivanted, Caelan and Final Surprise completing the principals in a race that looks competitive on paper. Recent form is mixed across the field, with some stepping up in class while others drop in grade, and the lack of course form for a few adds an extra layer of uncertainty.
How the race shapes up
The pace shape is genuinely run with high confidence, featuring a front-runner likely to be pressed by several handy types in what should prove a fair test. Takeit Easy is the one who tends to make the running or race on the pace, while Gallivanted and Final Surprise usually race handily on or close to the lead. This sets up a race that could be won or lost from mid-pack or late, with the key question being which of the held-up runners can produce their effort at the right time against the anticipated strong gallop.
The KTB Fit ranking
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1Zafaan KTB Selection77/100
Zafaan arrives as the KTB Selection with a Fit Score of 77 and rates as a smart performer in decent nick after winning last time out. He holds a solid record on good ground with three wins from 12 starts and steps up in trip today, having won once from nine attempts at this distance, which poses a fresh question. The six-year-old is held up and usually produces his effort late. Trainer Charlie Clover has no previous runners at Huntingdon though he operates at 25% from 24 runs overall, while jockey Harry Cobden has a 23% strike rate at the track from 91 rides in line with his overall record. Stepping up in class, he is taken to land this.
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2Gallivanted69/100
Gallivanted is a smart performer who has placed on all three visits to this track including a third here last year. He has won on good ground and at today's trip and arrives in reasonable order after a respectable return, carrying an OR of 109. Usually racing handily on or close to the lead, the four-year-old drops in class which could prove beneficial. Trainer Harry Derham holds a 39% strike rate at Huntingdon from 33 runs, while Paul O'Brien operates at 19% here from 111 rides. His course form of one placing from one run adds to his appeal as the main danger.
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3Caelan62/100
Caelan is a smart performer who has placed on both starts at Huntingdon and drops back to a trip where he has already won. His recent form of 32-4U3 shows consistency mixed with the occasional mistake, while he remains competitive on good ground without winning on that surface from ten starts. Usually held up and producing his effort late, the five-year-old carries an OR of 107. Trainer Sarah Humphrey operates at an 11% strike rate at Huntingdon from 172 runs and jockey James Bowen at 10% from 129 rides, both in line with expectations. His course form reads two placings from two runs.
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4Final Surprise55/100
Final Surprise is a smart performer who arrives in decent form after a win and a third on his last two starts. He drops back in trip today having won at this distance earlier in his career, though he was only fifth when he tried the course on his sole visit. Usually racing handily on or close to the lead, the five-year-old carries an OR of 109. The dam has produced no winners from two previous runners. Trainer Alastair Ralph and jockey Ciaran Gethings both operate at their expected level here, with respective 10% and 13% strike rates at Huntingdon.
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5Takeit Easy54/100
Takeit Easy is a useful performer who has won once from four starts at Huntingdon and holds a solid record on good ground with three wins from 18 runs. He drops back in trip today having last run over two and a half miles and owns a good five wins from 17 starts at this distance, usually making the running or racing on the pace.
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6Al Mootamarid52/100
Al Mootamarid is a useful performer who has been consistent this year without winning, finishing placed on three of his last five starts. He ran well to be second here on his only visit to Huntingdon and has placed three times at today's trip though he drops back from 2m2½f today, usually held up.
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7Seraphic49/100
Seraphic is a useful performer who showed his best form when winning a handicap at Southwell last time. He has placed three times from nine starts at today's trip though he drops back from 2m2½f, while his record on good ground reads one win from nine runs with four placings, typically settling in midfield.
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8Blackwater Lilly43/100
Blackwater Lilly is a useful performer on the balance of her ratings and race history. She has a solid placed record at today's trip though she is dropping back from 2m3f, while her record on good ground reads just 1 win from 16 runs, usually held up.
KTB verdict
Zafaan stands out as the KTB Selection. He arrives in decent nick after a recent win, boasts a solid record on good ground, and is ridden by a jockey with a strong 23% strike rate at Huntingdon. The step up in trip poses a question but his late run-style should suit the genuinely-run pace. Gallivanted looks the main danger given his strong course record and drop in class, while Caelan and Final Surprise cannot be ruled out on their placed course form and recent efforts.
KTB Selection Zafaan
Early prices
The best price per runner across the bookmakers we track, each as first seen (UK time). Every runner had a price by 12:21am, 28 Oct. Prices move — see the live racecard for current prices.
| Runner | Early price | Bookmaker, time |
|---|---|---|
| Zafaan | 3/1 | Bet365, 12:18am |
| Gallivanted | 7/2 | Bet365, 12:18am |
| Caelan | 8/1 | Bet365, 12:18am |
| Final Surprise | 7/1 | William Hill, 12:18am |
| Takeit Easy | 16/1 | William Hill, 12:18am |
| Al Mootamarid | 9/1 | William Hill, 12:18am |
| Seraphic | 10/3 | 7Bet, 12:18am |
| Blackwater Lilly | 12/1 | Bet365, 12:18am |
This is the narrative read of the 2:36 Huntingdon. For the live card — runner-by-runner stats, the full Fit Score breakdown and current odds — see the Huntingdon racecard. Every result we hold for the track is on the Huntingdon results & records page. How favourites, trainers, jockeys and the draw have fared here over the last five years is on the Huntingdon racecourse statistics page. New here? How KTB works explains the Fit Score and why we publish both.
Questions about this race
Which horse is stepping up in trip and what is its record at the distance?
Zafaan steps up in trip today having won once from nine attempts at this distance.
How many times has Gallivanted placed at Huntingdon?
Gallivanted has placed on all three visits to this track.
What is Takeit Easy's record at this trip?
Takeit Easy owns a good five wins from 17 starts at this distance.
Which runner showed its best form when winning at Southwell last time?
Seraphic showed his best form when winning a handicap at Southwell last time.
What is the dam's record for Final Surprise in terms of winners produced?
The dam has had 2 other runners, none of them a winner.
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