Novibet IE Ambassador and Reigning Champion Jockey Brian Hughes
Brian Hughes blog 31/03/2023
Last week Brian was very keen on a couple of his mounts for the weekend, Quaresome who made a winning start over hurdles at Musselburgh last Friday and Blueberry Wine, who duly built on his comeback to win nicely at Bangor-on-Dee on Saturday.
Here are Brian’s thoughts on his rides at Wetherby and Uttoxeter this weekend.
Wetherby, Friday 31st March
1:40pm
I start off on Friday with Visit Officielle in the mares’ maiden hurdle (1:40pm). She was rated 60 on the Flat and won over 1m7f in France. I don’t know too much about her, but let’s hope she jumps off this time because she refused to race last time!
2:15pm
Somewhat Cloudy goes in the novices’ handicap chase (2:15pm). She got the job done nicely last time, and the third won at Market Rasen on Wednesday so there looks to be a bit of substance to her form. She’s been consistent in decent races and when you look down though her form, nearly everything that has finished around her has run well since. She took well to chasing last time, her form looks solid, and I’d be very positive about her chances.
3:25pm
It’s only 13 days since I last rode Albert’s Back (3:25pm) and he took a good blow that day. Obviously Dare To Shout looks an improving young horse, but Albert’s Back, while he isn’t getting any younger, would have a chance on his old form.
3:55pm
East Street (3:55pm) ran well two starts ago, when he was just beaten over the course and distance, but the next time he was probably a little below that level. He acts well at the course and any dig in the ground won’t be an issue. If he puts it all together, I feel he’s a winner waiting sooner rather than later. He must have a good each-way chance.
4:25pm
It’s the first time I’ve ridden Where’s Hector (4:25pm). He has been third at Catterick and second at Ayr on his last two starts. He’s never won a race, but he’s threatened to and has been placed several times. On the best of his form, you’d like to think a race of this nature would be within his grasp. Without having sat on him before though, I’m hopeful rather than confident.
4:55pm
In the mares’ bumper (4:55pm) I’m on Storm Spirit for the Micky Hammond team. She ran well first time out on the All-Weather, where she stayed on nicely all the way to the line. It’s my first time riding her, but she’s a four-year-old filly getting all the allowances. Of the horses that have run you could probably argue she’s got the strongest form. You’d like to think she’d have an each-way chance at the very least.
Uttoxeter, Saturday 01st April
4:30pm
I’m at Uttoxeter for two rides on Saturday, starting in the 4:30pm where I ride Gold Emery for Donald [McCain]. He was second last time out at Newcastle over 2m4f. He’s now stepping up to three miles, which we think he wants, and soft ground will be no issue to him.
He’s a horse that won his Point-to-Point and then won on his only start over hurdles for us last year, but he picked up a little niggle, and didn’t run again. He’s light on experience as this will only be his third run over fences, but he’s learning on the job. He was a bit novicey in his jumping early on the last day, but as the race progressed his jumping got better and better. He just kept galloping there, so we think this step up in trip will suit him well.
5:05pm
I then ride On We Go in the handicap hurdle (5:05pm) for Gillian Bonas. She was a winner last time over three miles on soft ground at Ayr. Obviously, she’s gone up a few pounds in the handicap for that, but you’d have to say that her form seems largely consistent. Out of the seven times she’s ran for Gillian, she’s won four of them and been second on one once too. If she can keep progressing, it looks like she’ll have a decent chance.
Brian Hughes blog 31/03/2023
