A.P. McCoy already has a healthy 6-15 (40%) strike rate over hurdles for Neil Mulholland and there are good reasons for believing that he can improve that record on Southfield Royale in the Shoreclean Ventilation Ductwork Cleaning “National Hunt” Novices’ Hurdle (2.10) at Huntingdon on Tuesday. The Presenting gelding weakened before the third last when tailed off over 2 miles 7½ furlongs at Exeter in February, but is probably better judged on his earlier form at, or around, 2 miles 4 furlongs.
He won on his debut over hurdles, under A.P. McCoy, at Fontwell in November and although no match for impressive winner War Sound at Exeter on New Year’s Day, still pulled 26 lengths of the third horse on that occasion. His subsequent second, beaten 2¼ lengths, behind Oscar Sunset in a 0-135 handicap hurdle at Taunton was another decent effort in the context of this race and he can resume winning ways.
His sole win over obstacles came on heavy going, but he comfortably won a ‘bumper’ at on good going on his racecourse debut at Market Rasen last June, so he should run his race regardless of whether or not the forecast rain affects underfoot conditions. Neil Mulholland has 4-25 (16%) overall strike rate at Huntingdon over the last five seasons, but A.P. McCoy is far and away the leading jockey at the Cambridgeshire track in that period, with a strike rate of 38-111 (34%), so the statistics are favourable.
Huntingdon 2.10 Southfield Royale to win Tipster: David D