Huntingdon preview: The Hon Mackinlay handicapped to strike

David Metcalf | January 15, 2016

Trainer Ben Pauling has his team in terrific shape, and The Hon Mackinlay can take advantage of what looks a lenient mark to provide him with another success in the 2m 3f handicap hurdle that opens proceedings on today’s card at Huntingdon (13.20).

The gelding shaped with plenty of promise when finishing runner-up to the now 117-rated Hannah’s Princess on debut in a bumper at Stratford for trainer Mick Channon, keeping on nicely to be beaten four lengths without being knocked about.

Since joining Pauling, The Hon Mackinlay has had just three starts over hurdles and caught the eye on more than one occasion.

The seven-year-old ran well two starts back when a a tenderly handled fifth of 13 to the 122-rated Iftiraaq at Leicester, and backed that up with promising sixth of 17 to the 110-rated Unbuckled at Doncaster.

Judge on those efforts, The Hon Mackinlay has been brought along steadily with handicaps in mind and looks a potential improver now going down that route.

An opening mark of 105 looks very exploitable, especially based on his bumper run, and The Hon Mackinlay also remains unexposed and open to plenty more improvement.

Three Faces West to win on debut

In the 2m 3f novices’ handicap chase (15.20), Three Faces West looks to hold leading claims of making a winning debut over the larger obstacles.