Brian Hughes’ blog 19/10/23 My five to follow for the 23/24 season
Brian Hughes’ blog – Five To Follow
We think a fair amount of Iorangi De L’Isle and he looks a nice type for bumpers this season. He won a Point-to-Point by five lengths in December last year, and from what we’ve seen he should be one to look forward to.
Another to keep an eye on this season is Famous Bridge. I schooled him this week and I’m hoping he can have a profitable campaign. He won his last two and we think he’s an improving horse, who could make into a solid staying chaser over the next few months.
We’re still deliberating about whether to keep Maximilian over hurdles or go novice chasing, but whichever way we go he’s one to look forward to. He won the Grade 2 River Don at Doncaster and then ran a cracker in the Grade 1 Sefton at Aintree, so hopefully there is more to come this season.
I’d be hopeful there’s more to come from Richmond Lake this season too. He’s another who finished last season in good form having won three of his last four, and I’ve always thought plenty of him. If he can continue to improve as he did in the last campaign, we should have a nice horse to go to war with.
The final horse to watch would be Minella Drama. He had a solid year last year having won two competitive handicap chases before finishing third to Pic D’Orhy in the Grade 1 Melling Chase at Aintree. There should be more to come again this year, and we’re excited about him.
Brian Hughes’ blog 19/10/23 – Friday at Fakenham
Heros De Moutiers (3.43pm) kicks things off at Fakenham. He should be up to being competitive in a race like this and we’re going to stick some blinkers on him just as we think there’s a little bit more in the tank than he’s been showing us. Hopefully that brings about that bit of improvement we think is there and he’s the reason I’m going to Fakenham. Fingers crossed he makes the trip worthwhile!
I then ride King Otis (4.18pm) for James Owen. I don’t know too much about him to be honest, but James has been buying horses with similar profiles who have been winning, so let’s hope that’s the case here.
Brian Hughes’ blog 19/10/23 – Saturday at Market Rasen
I’m at Market Rasen on Saturday and my first ride of the day is Daaris (1.35pm). Olly Murphy’s runner, who won a bumper impressively, looks the one to beat, but my ride will hopefully run well. He was rated in the 60s on the Flat and should stay. I’m told he jumps well at home, so he should go okay and have half a chance.
I’m on Gaelic Coast (2.48pm) next. We all know he has the ability to be competitive in a race like this, it just depends if he’s in the mood. He’s well-handicapped now and is in fact five pounds lower than his last winning mark over hurdles, which is obviously a positive.
He was placed in this race last year off nine pounds higher, so we know he goes well at the track. If he’s back to his best, I’d like to think he’ll be right there.
My final ride is Amenadiel in the bumper (5.20pm). Derek [Shaw] quite likes him and says he goes quite well at home. You never really know who you’re up against in these three-year-old bumpers, but hopefully he takes to it and can run a solid race on debut.
