'This was the obvious race to go for' - key quotes for Huntingdon feature

Tuesday: 1.30 Huntingdon
Michaelmas Handicap Hurdle | 3m | 3yo+ | RTV

A fascinating, tight-knit handicap hurdle featuring essentially progressive performers who know how to win.

All seven runners have proven race-fitness on their side, and three are course-and-distance winners: Ajero, Takeit Easy and Onemorefortheroad.

Ajero takes a big drop in class after his seasonal reappearance behind Soaring Glory in a valuable handicap hurdle at Ascot.

He's been dropped 2lb and won't mind the switch to much faster underfoot conditions.

It's highly plausible that Dan Skelton's Cabot Cliffs, a most encouraging third to Progressive at Chepstow last month, could enjoy an uncontested lead around a track which favours those tactics.

The four-year-old was attempting to concede 20lb to Progressive and emerges from that race with immense credit.

Takeit Easy's recent Wetherby win has been boosted by the third, Constancio, obliging at Musselburgh. He's been raised only 2lb and should remain highly competitive.

Sage Advice, sixth to Jeff Kidder in the Fred Winter, ought to be spot-on after a lung-opener on the Flat last month, but Ingleby Hollow looks in the grip of the handicapper despite a succession of admirable efforts in defeat.

Onemorefortheroad, winner of three of his last four races, returned from a summer break arguably better than ever when beating Call Of The Wild by half a length at Stratford.

The son of Yorgunnabelucky is only 7lb higher than when disposing of Midnight Glance comfortably by three-and-a-half lengths at Doncaster in March, and it’s possible to argue he remains fairly treated on 127.

He'll love the ground and winged his way round Huntingdon when successful there in the spring.
Race analysis by Richard Birch

What they say

Kim Bailey, trainer of Ajero
He couldn't breathe at Ascot as they went so quick but hopefully we can get back on track with him. He likes Huntingdon and the better ground is in his favour.

Kim Bailey, trainer of Ajero: 'he likes Huntingdon and the better ground is in his favour'Credit: Edward Whitaker

Pam Sly, trainer of Takeit Easy
I'm hoping he'll run well again and Jack [Andrews], who is very capable, takes 5lb off him. I was surprised he won at Wetherby, but three horses took each other on and it played into our hands. Good ground will suit him here and he likes the track.

Neil King, trainer of Onemorefortheroad
It was a very good performance to win under a double penalty at Stratford and the manner in which he did it was impressive. This was the obvious race to go for as he has won over course and distance, and he'll love the quick ground.

Rebecca Menzies, trainer of Ingleby Hollow
He ran really well at Cheltenham and had they gone quicker he'd have finished a lot closer. The nature of the track at Huntingdon should suit and he should get a nice gallop to aim at. He ran well in the summer going right-handed at Market Rasen and Perth, he'll like conditions and Sean [Quinlan] gets a good tune out of him, so there's plenty in his favour.
Reporting by Jack Haynes

Tuesday's other preview:

Lorna Brooke remembered in Fairyhouse event as top amateurs take each other on

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