A competitive six-race evening meeting awaits at Huntingdon Racecourse on Tuesday, May 19, with a strong mix of maiden hurdlers, handicap performers and experienced chasers set to line up across the card. The fixture features races ranging from sharp two-mile contests to stamina-testing staying events, ensuring a varied programme for followers of National Hunt racing.
Proceedings begin at 6:00 PM with the Tattersalls Ireland May HIT & P2P Sale Maiden Hurdle Race, a Class 4 event over one mile, seven furlongs and 213 yards. Worth ÂŁ10,000, the contest provides an opportunity for inexperienced hurdlers to open their accounts over obstacles. Maiden races at Huntingdon often produce progressive performers, particularly among younger horses stepping up after educational efforts earlier in the campaign.
The 6:30 PM race sees the runners tackle fences in the Tattersalls Online Handicap Steeple Chase, a Class 5 contest over two miles, three furlongs and 189 yards. Open to horses rated up to 100, the race carries prize money of £7,250. Huntingdon’s chase track rewards accurate jumping and tactical positioning, especially around the bends where momentum can prove vital during the closing stages.
At 7:00 PM, the spotlight shifts to the mares in the Tattersalls Ireland May HIT & P2P Sale Mares’ Handicap Hurdle Race. The Class 5 contest over one mile, seven furlongs and 213 yards is worth £6,750 and is expected to attract several consistent handicap performers. Specialist mares’ races continue to play a significant role within National Hunt racing, helping develop female talent while providing competitive opportunities at various levels.
The feature event of the evening comes at 7:30 PM with the Tattersalls Online Handicap Hurdle Race, a Class 3 staying contest over three miles, one furlong and 78 yards. Carrying the highest purse of the meeting at ÂŁ15,000, the race has assembled an experienced field packed with proven staying hurdlers.
Georgina Nicholls saddles a seven-year-old gelding rated 126 who tops the weights carrying 12st 1lb after producing several solid efforts during the previous campaign. Close behind in the ratings is Alien Storm, trained by Charlie Longsdon and partnered by David Bass. The eight-year-old arrives with strong hurdle form and remains one of the more consistent performers in the line-up.
Course-and-distance winner Ballintubber Boy represents the powerful stable of Nigel Twiston-Davies and Willy Twiston-Davies. The nine-year-old has regularly placed in competitive staying races and could again prove reliable under Sam Twiston-Davies.
Other notable runners include Kitty Foyle, a recent winner for trainer Daisy Hitchins, while veteran campaigner Tiger Orchid seeks to convert a sequence of runner-up finishes into victory. Sunray Shadow adds further interest for the Dan Skelton stable with Harry Skelton taking the ride, while progressive hurdler Gasmani arrives after consistent recent performances.
The 8:00 PM contest, the Tattersalls Ireland May HIT & P2P Sale Handicap Hurdle Race, moves back to middle-distance hurdles over two miles, four furlongs and 195 yards. The Class 4 event offers £8,750 and is likely to feature a blend of improving types and experienced handicappers looking to capitalise on favourable ratings. Huntingdon’s fair layout generally suits horses able to travel comfortably before delivering a late challenge approaching the final hurdle.
The evening concludes at 8:30 PM with the Tattersalls Online Novices’ Hunters’ Steeple Chase, a Class 5 event over two miles, seven furlongs and 129 yards. Hunters’ chases often provide a distinctive atmosphere, combining experienced point-to-point horses with amateur riders in competitive staying contests. Safe jumping and stamina are expected to be key factors around the demanding trip.
Tuesday’s fixture also underlines the continued involvement of Tattersalls Ireland in supporting jump racing through sponsorship of multiple races on the card. Their partnership with Huntingdon reflects the close relationship between point-to-point racing and the professional National Hunt scene, where many horses begin their careers before progressing to higher levels.
With competitive handicaps, developing hurdlers and a high-quality staying feature, Huntingdon’s Tuesday evening programme promises an entertaining night of National Hunt racing action.
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