1:56 Huntingdon
This Class 5 handicap hurdle at Huntingdon over 3m1f10y on good ground brings together a compact field of five where the KTB Fit scores are tightly bunched at the top. Cinnodin heads the ratings on 64 with The Wise Traveller a mere point behind on 63, while Maggies Boy, Stiletto and Indian Sunbird follow in descending order. All five are dropping in class and several have questions to answer regarding stamina or venue, yet the overall standard remains useful for the grade.
How the race shapes up
The pace shape points to a lone leader with medium confidence, and The Wise Traveller's high-confidence front-running style means he is set to dictate uncontested from the outset. The other four runners are all held-up types who will be produced late, raising the key question of whether any can bridge the gap to a horse allowed an easy lead on a track that can favour those up front. With so many closers in a small field the race may well be decided by how well they can quicken off a steady gallop in the straight.
The KTB Fit ranking
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1Cinnodin KTB Selection64/100
Cinnodin is a useful performer who has shown plenty in recent seasons yet arrives in modest form having been pulled up or well beaten on his last three starts. He steps up markedly in trip today which asks a fresh question of him while this will also be his first run at Huntingdon. The Snowden yard has a solid 18% strike rate here and the horse's good-ground record offers some encouragement. Gavin Sheehan takes the ride with a strong 22% strike rate at the venue from 227 rides. Usually held up, Cinnodin produces his effort late and will need to be switched on at the right moment if the uncontested leader is to be reeled in.
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2The Wise Traveller63/100
The Wise Traveller is a useful performer who knows this track well having won four times from 13 starts here. Recent form is a bit mixed but he showed he retains plenty when scoring last time out and has a solid record at today's trip with five wins from 14 attempts. Trainer Sarah Humphrey records a fair 11% strike rate at Huntingdon from a sizeable sample while the jockey is unproven at the track. With a high-confidence front-running style he is expected to take the field along at a steady gallop that could prove difficult to close down. His record on good ground is sound with five wins from 25 starts.
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3Maggies Boy57/100
Maggies Boy is a useful performer on his best days and has solid recent placed form to his name. He has been tried over this trip for the first time today after running over much shorter last time, so stamina is unproven, while his only previous run here produced a modest fifth. The trainer operates at a 9% strike rate from 122 runs at Huntingdon. Usually held up, he will be produced with a late run and must hope the pace shape does not leave him with too much to do. William Shanahan claims 5lb and has shown a strong 20% strike rate in a small sample at the venue.
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4Stiletto54/100
Stiletto is a useful performer on the balance of its ratings and race history with five wins to its name from 45 starts. It steps up in trip today having last run over 2m7f and this is its first time at Huntingdon. The trainer has a modest 4% strike rate from 47 runs at the track while the horse itself has won three times from 22 starts on good ground.
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5Indian Sunbird49/100
Indian Sunbird is a useful performer who has won over this trip and at this track. Recent form has been patchy and the step back up in distance after a 2m4f run asks a fresh question. Trainer holds a solid record here while the jockey is an experienced booking.
KTB verdict
Cinnodin is the KTB Selection. Although he arrives in modest form after being pulled up or well beaten on his last three starts, he is dropping in class, steps up markedly in trip where his stamina is unproven, and represents a yard with an 18% strike rate at Huntingdon. The Snowden-Sheehan combination carries obvious appeal on good ground. The Wise Traveller is the obvious danger given his course record of four wins from 13 starts, recent success and front-running style that could prove hard to peg back in a race with four held-up types, while Maggies Boy is next best on his placed form though stamina and track experience are both concerns.
KTB Selection Cinnodin
This is the narrative read of the 1:56 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. New here? How KTB works explains the Fit Score and why we publish both.
Questions about this race
Which horse is expected to set the pace?
The Wise Traveller, who tends to make the running or race on the pace with high confidence.
How many of the five runners are held-up types?
Four of the five runners are held up and produce their effort late.
Which horse has the strongest course record at Huntingdon?
The Wise Traveller, who has won four times from 13 starts here.
Which trainer has the best strike rate at Huntingdon among those represented?
Jamie Snowden with an 18% strike rate at Huntingdon from 159 runs.
Who is the only horse in the field with a previous win over today's trip?
Indian Sunbird, who has won over this trip.
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