Forest fires at Huntingdon

Alan King pulled off a fine training feat when he sent out Fleetwood Forest to win the WBX.COM World Bet Exchange Handicap Hurdle at Huntingdon after a 628-day lay-off.

The six-year-old sustained a serious setback on his last start at Bangor in March 2005.

Barbury Castle handler King had his charge ready to do himself justice on his comeback, springing a 25-1 shock in the extended two-mile-five-furlong contest.

Runner-up Methodical led the challengers in the final strides but Fleetwood Forest, ridden by Jimmy McCarthy, had enough up his sleeve to hold on by half a length.

King said: “He struck into a tendon last time and fractured a bone at the back of a knee, so it was a double-whammy.

“He has been off the best part of two years, so this is a bit of a surprise.

“Obviously, he has done plenty of work, but I still thought he would need it.”