Brian Hughes’ blog 27/10/23 – We think plenty of Iorangi de L’Isle
Brian Hughes’ blog 27/10/23 – Kelso Racecourse
I kick off with Tara Cove (12.54pm). He’s a nice horse who has won three Point-to-Points and is fit and well with plenty of experience. Obviously, Kelso will be his first run over hurdles and our horses have been improving for a run but it’s the right sort of race for him to get started in. He’s got plenty of experience jumping so hopefully he will be there or thereabouts.
I then ride Busty Boy (2.04pm). I don’t know too much about him, but he didn’t run too badly at Carlisle last time where he was leading into final furlong, but just faded a little up the hill. Hopefully he can build on that here.
Sil Ver Klass (2.39pm) is next up. This is his second start for the new yard and he should hopefully improve from the run over course and distance last time. He isn’t badly handicapped on some of his form when trained in Ireland, so if he can bounce back to that he’d have a chance in a race with few runners.
Noble Annys (3.14pm) finished third at Hexham last time and the track didn’t really suit her on soft ground. It wasn’t a particularly good maiden but look, she’s got a rating of 91, so you’d hope she’d be running well in a race like this. Hopefully the flatter track at Kelso will suit better and while she’s a hold-up filly, which is never easy in a field of 15 runners, hopefully she can run well.
I then ride Iorangi de L’Isle (3.54pm) who is ready to run. He was obviously taken out on heavy ground at Carlisle last week, but he jumps well and won his Point-to-Point. He’s a nice horse and we really like him, so are looking forward to getting him started. Look, he’s a good jumper and the bumper route was there but there’s no point keeping waiting, he doesn’t need to run in a bumper for the sake of it. He’s a nice horse and does everything nicely at home so he’s certainly one to keep an eye on throughout the season.
Heros de Moutier (4.29pm) has been running well without winning the few times that I’ve ridden him. I’ve felt that he’s kept a bit back for himself hence why he’s got the first-time blinkers on. He already has plenty of experience in Points-to-Points and four runs over fences, both of which should stand him in good stead.
