UK Horse Racing Tips: Huntingdon

NAP HAND is rated 86 on the level and didn't do a lot wrong when third in a good maiden hurdle on his jumping bow at Kempton on Boxing Day. With the experience under his belt, he should take the necessary step forward in order to land this prize. La Pinsonniere was turned over at odds-on on her UK debut at Windsor, but that performance is probably better than it first appeared because the winner has gone in again since. Thickthorn Tom might be best of the rest.
Prediction : 1st Nap Hand 2nd La Pinsonniere 3rd Thickthorn Tom

All eyes will be on PALLADIUM, who won the German Derby last summer and was purchased for an eye-watering 1.4m euros at Arqana in October. If he lives up to the hype on his timber debut, he should be able to book his Triumph Hurdle ticket and tighten Nicky Henderson's grip on the juvenile championship. Excuses emerged for Pure Carbon's Newbury flop and he is better judged on his previous Warwick second. Jack Hyde might be the one who gets closest to the selection, though, after an encouraging Kempton fourth.
Prediction : 1st Palladium 2nd Jack Hyde 3rd Pure Carbon

Koenigsstern built on a couple of seconds to get off the mark on British soil at Fontwell over Christmas and there should be more to come from him. Any follow-up ambitions could be scuppered by TOMMY CULLEN, who is also open to plenty of improvement and got closest to a subsequent winner on his return from the sidelines at Doncaster. Lucky Lugger was still in contention when coming down at Chepstow, while Kayce Dutton took a step in the right direction when runner-up at Huntingdon.
Prediction : 1st Tommy Cullen 2nd Koenigsstern 3rd Lucky Lugger

It looks best to side with JAZZ KING, who won at Hereford in November before finding only a progressive rival too strong at Wetherby on Boxing Day. Alastair Ralph's gelding tackles an extra furlong here, which should suit, and he is expected to go one place better. Another that should relish this longer trip is Soldierofthestorm, who plugged on over 2m at Ascot last month without ever looking like he would play a part in the finish. Golden Ambition came up short in his hat-trick bid last time out, but remains of interest.
Prediction : 1st Jazz King 2nd Soldierofthestorm 3rd Golden Ambition

Chasing hasn't really gone to plan for SHANAGH BOB but Nicky Henderson's charge, a Grade 2 winner over timber last season, looks to hold excellent credentials here. Back hurdling from a mark of 129 and with cheekpieces applied for the first time, it would come as no surprise were he to make a return to form. Gordon Elliott opts to send Staffordshire Knot over and the lightly-raced seven-year-old makes plenty of appeal, while others to note include Super Survivor and Itchy Feet.
Prediction : 1st Shanagh Bob 2nd Staffordshire Knot 3rd Super Survivor

PEARL ISLAND was reported to have never been travelling when pulled up on his chasing bow at Leicester, but it was a different story when successful at Uttoxeter next time. Henry Daly's gelding was only nudged up 3lb in the handicap for that performance and given that he is open to further improvement, it could prove lenient. Celtic Fortune went close to getting off the mark when second to an in-form rival at Wincanton last month, and first-time blinkers could eke out more. Brother Boris is also noted.
Prediction : 1st Pearl Island 2nd Celtic Fortune 3rd Brother Boris

A drop to 2m4f wasn't enough to prevent ANOTHER DAY OUT from following up a Ludlow success in November at Wincanton on Boxing Day and she makes plenty of appeal back up in trip. Mighty Moth was only a neck behind the selection on that occasion, although the daughter of Champs Elysees isn't certain to stay this far. With that in mind, a bigger threat may emerge from unexposed chaser Kosasiempre.
Prediction : 1st Another Day Out 2nd Kosasiempre 3rd Mighty Moth

DIAMONDS GALORE built on her sixth-placed debut at Warwick when second at Uttoxeter last month. The five-year-old is heading in the right direction and she's taken to further enhance Nicky Henderson's decent strike-rate in bumpers. Philippa's Choice offered something to work with when fourth on her Rules bow at Chepstow in November and the five-year-old may serve the most resistance to the selection, ahead of Walkingtheline.
Prediction : 1st Diamonds Galore 2nd Philippas Choice 3rd Walkingtheline