3:41 Huntingdon
A Class 5 handicap hurdle over 2m3f137y at Huntingdon on good ground brings together a field of seven where the KTB Fit scores are tightly bunched at the top. Ikigai Star heads the ratings on 59 with Jet Patrol close behind on 57, while Clever Relation and Charlie My Boy complete the principals on 50 and 48 respectively. The KTB numbers point to a race where course experience and proven stamina at the trip could prove decisive in what looks a steadily-run, tactical affair.
How the race shapes up
The pace shape lacks an obvious leader and is taken with medium confidence, suggesting a steadily-run, tactical contest in which being handy will pay. With the top four principals and most of the field all tending to be held up, the early fractions are likely to be modest and the race could develop into a test of timing from off the pace. The key question is which horse can produce its effort at the right time in a race that may not truly test stamina until the straight.
The KTB Fit ranking
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1Ikigai Star KTB Selection59/100
Ikigai Star is a fair performer who has won two of his three starts at Huntingdon and also has a win at today's trip on his record. He has shown inconsistent form of late with a pulled-up effort and two modest finishes among his last four runs. The yard's solid 15% strike-rate at the track adds some encouragement. David Bass takes the ride and the combination of course form, trip suitability and trainer record at Huntingdon make him the one to beat. Usually held up, he will be looking to produce his effort late in a race where being on the sharp end of a steady gallop could be an advantage. His official rating of 88 looks fair given what he has achieved around here.
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2Jet Patrol57/100
Jet Patrol is a useful performer who arrives in decent nick judged on recent form figures of 45263 and has solid placed form at today's trip. He steps up in distance for the first time in a while which asks a fresh question but the pedigree and past efforts suggest he should cope. James Owen has a strong 26% strike rate at Huntingdon while Jonathan Burke is taking the ride. Usually held up with high confidence, he will be looking to come from off the pace in what is set to be a steadily-run affair. His official rating of 97 is the highest in the field and he has the ability to take a hand if the step up in trip does not find him out. The yard's excellent recent record at the track is another positive.
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3Clever Relation50/100
Clever Relation is a fair performer with consistent placed efforts on his last two starts. He drops back in trip today to a distance he has never tried, which poses a fresh question, while his record on good ground shows two places from five runs without a win. The yard has a solid 15% strike rate at Huntingdon from 27 runs. Usually held up with high confidence, he will be produced late and will need the race to fall right in a tactical contest. Jack Tudor takes the mount for Christian Williams and the pair will be hoping the drop in trip brings about further improvement. His official rating of 83 gives him scope if he handles the new distance.
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4Charlie My Boy48/100
Charlie My Boy is a fair sort who has won at this track and over today's trip. Recent form is mixed with a pair of placed efforts this year but he has been pulled up on his last two starts at this distance. The trainer's modest record here adds a note of caution. Usually held up with high confidence, he will be looking to come from off the pace in what is likely to be a steadily-run race. James Davies is on board and the horse's course-and-distance success cannot be ignored. His official rating of 88 matches that of the selection and he remains capable on his best form despite the recent pulled-up efforts.
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5Maestrow45/100
Maestrow is a fair four-year-old who has shown only modest form in six starts, finishing no better than fifth on his latest two outings. He has already tried this track without success and is now being asked a fresh question up in trip. The Ben Pauling yard holds a solid 19% strike rate at Huntingdon from 230 runs.
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6Saucats41/100
Saucats is a fair performer who has been in and out of form this season with a recent win among his 237371 figures. He steps up in trip today having failed to trouble the judge on his only previous try at this distance while his record on good ground reads a modest two wins from 15 starts. The yard has only three runs at Huntingdon so far which is too small a sample to judge.
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7Inca36/100
Inca is a modest performer who has shown little spark in three runs this year after a long absence. Only seventh on his sole previous visit to Huntingdon and the yard's modest 4% strike-rate here adds little encouragement. First-time headgear is reached for but the small-sample trip and ground data leave too many unknowns.
KTB verdict
Ikigai Star looks the most solid option in a race where course form and proven stamina could be at a premium. He has won two of his three starts at Huntingdon, has a win at this trip, and the yard's record at the track adds further encouragement despite some recent inconsistency. Jet Patrol is the obvious danger given his recent placed efforts and the strong strike rate of the James Owen yard at Huntingdon, though the step up in trip is an unknown. Clever Relation and Charlie My Boy cannot be entirely dismissed on their placed form and course knowledge respectively, but both come with their own questions. The race is likely to be decided by who judges the steady pace best.
KTB Selection Ikigai Star
This is the narrative read of the 3:41 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 has the best course record at Huntingdon?
Ikigai Star has won two of his three starts at Huntingdon.
What is the highest official rating in the field?
Jet Patrol has the highest official rating on 97.
Which trainer has the strongest strike rate at Huntingdon in this race?
James Owen has a 26% strike rate at Huntingdon.
How many of the principals are usually held up?
All four principals are usually held up.
Which horse is wearing first-time headgear?
Inca is wearing first-time headgear.
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