On the bend leaving the back straight, Mackie Dee (IRE), placed second, edged slightly right-handed causing Rintulla (IRE), which was later pulled up, to be shuffled back when tight for room on the rail, but after viewing a recording of the incident, it was found that no riding offence was involved and that it had not improved the placing of Mackie Dee (IRE).

An enquiry was held to consider interference rounding the bend after jumping the final fence in the home straight on the first circuit, when Rintulla (IRE), which was later pulled up, ridden by Luca Morgan, interfered with Mackie Dee (IRE), placed second, ridden by Philip Armson.

Being 7Ib Claiming Conditional’s, both riders were offered the opportunity to be accompanied in the enquiry but declined.

Morgan was cautioned for careless riding as he had edged right-handed when insufficiently clear of Mackie Dee (IRE), causing Armson to take a slight check on the rail.

The winner, Lord Sparky (GB), appeared to show an improvement in form compared with its previous run at Market Rasen on 21 February 2021 where the gelding was pulled up.

Caroline Bailey’s explanation that Lord Sparky (GB) appreciated the return to Huntingdon where all the gelding’s previous career wins have been recorded and the application of a first-time tongue strap, on this occasion, was noted.

Lord Sparky (GB) was routine tested.

Following the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that Rintulla (IRE), which started favourite and was pulled up before the second-last fence, bled from the nose and Mackie Dee (IRE), placed second, lost its right-fore shoe.

Charlie Hammond reported that Midnight Owle (GB), which was pulled up after jumping the third-last fence had made a bad mistake at the ninth fence; the Veterinary Officer subsequently reported that a post-race examination of the gelding failed to reveal any abnormalities.