Brian Hughes’ blog 28/10/23 – Hoping To Shout about Minella Drama
Brian Hughes – Aintree Racecourse
I kick off on Minella Drama who making his season debut in the Old Roan Chase (2:00pm). He had a fantastic run last year, winning twice and placing in all his races, including a solid third in the competitive Grade One Melling Chase at Aintree.
We’re under no illusions that it’s a pretty competitive race, but he feels in good form at home. Hopefully he’ll put in a big performance.
Then I’m on Dare To Shout in the handicap hurdle (3:10pm), who made a winning return at Hexham. He’s facing tougher competition this time with a bit of added weight, but he needed that previous run. With natural improvement and the good form of Ann Hamilton’s horses, we think he’ll put up a good fight. Ground conditions won’t be a problem for him, so we’re hoping for a solid showing.
Finally, we’ve got General Officer in the novices’ limited handicap chase (3:45pm), who ran nicely on his chase debut at Hexham, finishing second to one of Lucinda Russell’s, who we had to give plenty of weight to. He took a good blow, so you’d expect him to come on for the run and he won second time up last year as well. The horse that finished third has won since giving the form a good boost which is always good, and he should perform well.
All three look competitive rides and hopefully one of them manages to get his head in front.
