'The price was crazy' - Martalindy touches 739-1 on Betfair before shock win

Tuesday: Huntingdon

Phil Kirby thought the price of Martalindy "was crazy" against 2-13 shot Mullenbeg before the mares' novice hurdle and he was proved right after the 50-1 outsider outgunned the favourite to win by a neck.

The five-year-old touched 739-1 in running on Betfair before battling Mullenbeg to a thrilling finish under Tommy Dowson, leading to shouts of joy from the stands as members of Kirby's own racing club sported scarves and badges in the club's colours.

Although Kirby is based in North Yorkshire, his club members are from all over the country including Chris Bennett, who travelled down from Staffordshire.

She said: "I decided to put a bet on at 50-1 at the last minute and I can't believe it. It was so exciting. I think they heard us screaming in Peterborough!"

Kirby said: "The price was crazy. Martalindy was 150-1 on Betfair but she is a good mare and was schooled over small fences only yesterday. I know the winner is highly rated but we didn't give them an easy lead."

Brennan on the board

Paddy Brennan scored at the meeting last week and was in the groove once more when Thundersockssundae made all in the 2m4f handicap chase.

The 11-10 favourite completed a double for Fergal O'Brien when defeating chasing newcomer Norley by 20 lengths, but sported the scars of battle afterwards.

Brennan said: "It's better here than it was last week, especially on the hurdles track, but Thundersockssundae slipped into the open ditch and has come in with a nasty cut. They have learned a lot from last week but maybe have a bit left to do."

After his concerns were raised, officials decided to bypass the open ditch down the back straight. Clerk Roderick Duncan said: "The jockeys said the horses were propping into it."

O'Brien kicked off his brace in the opener after Jack Hogan blazed a trail on Kingston Sunflower in the 2m novice hurdle.

Brennan claimed his own double in the concluding 3m1f handicap hurdle when Presenting Yeats struck for trainer Milton Harris.

The commentary box is covered in scaffolding at Huntingdon

Lord of Huntingdon

Lord Sparky registered a remarkable sixth course win on his first start for his new yard, despite Stuart Edmunds trying to alter his training regime.

The 8-15 chance, who made all in the 2m7½f handicap chase, was previously with Caroline Bailey, who had given Edmunds advice on how to train his new acquisition.

The winning trainer said: "Caroline told me to school him in blinkers as he wouldn't do a tap. Like a clever sod I tried him without and he downed tools, so she was right!"

The open ditch in front of the stands at Huntingdon is railed off

Back in business

Huntingdon was pleased to be back racing just a week after abandonment its meeting due to unsafe ground and things went relatively smoothly.

Clerk Roderick Duncan said: "The problems last week were from water sitting on top of quickish ground. We've since borrowed some kit from Newmarket racecourse and we've slit it and vertidrained the whole track.

"We've taken the ditch in front of the stands out today and that won't be jumped again as the jockeys don't like it. The commentary tower is out of action but we hope to have that back in play at the next meeting."

Results, replays and analysis

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