Aintree – Thursday, 13th April
It’s been a busy 24 hours, as I was down at Huntingdon on Monday and then up to Lucinda Russell’s yard in Scotland to school Ahoy Senor (2:55pm) early on Tuesday.
He felt great and was jumping well, so I’m excited for the Bowl on Thursday now. It’s the first time I’ve ever sat on him, and he felt full of himself. You wouldn’t have known he’s coming back off a fall last time out. It looks a very hot race, with the likes of Bravemansgame, Shishkin, Conflated and A Plus Tard all in there, and it could come down to who’s come out of Cheltenham best, as it can leave its mark.
Ahoy Senor appeared to be going well in the Gold Cup when he came down, so hopefully that race didn’t empty his tank too much. Derek [Fox] would have ridden him, but he’s still recovering from a shoulder injury at the moment.
He’s hoping to be back in time to ride Corach Rambler on Saturday, and I really hope he is as he’s been there every step of the way with this horse and looks to have a big chance.
If he doesn’t make it back in time, then we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it. I’m always available and he’d be a great ride.
Elsewhere on the Thursday at Aintree, I’ve got Mackenburg (4:40pm), who looks fairly handicapped. He might get a little bit outpaced, but he stays 2m4f very well and will hopefully be the one staying on up the straight. Running at the Grand National Festival is important for Donald [McCain] and the owners, so hopefully he runs a big one.
Casa No Mento (5:15pm) is my other chance on the opening day. It’s nice to be riding for Nigel Twiston-Davies, who I’ve ridden in the National for a couple of times, but I’m yet to ride a winner for him. She’s a Point-to-Point winner, won her bumper and was then second the last day in a good Listed contest at Sandown, so she’s obviously a high-class mare.
Brian Hughes blog 12/04/2023
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