The latest thoughts from UK Champion Jump Jockey and Novibet.ie ambassador, Brian Hughes.
I don’t think there will be any racing this weekend. Cheltenham has forecasted temperatures of around -4°C, so I think that has very little chance of going ahead. If they get Friday on, then they have no chance of Saturday going ahead. You’ll get moisture sitting on top of the ground after Friday and it will all freeze solid, no matter whether the covers go on overnight or not.
I’m no expert, I’ll leave that to the clerk of the course, but I can’t see there being much, if any, racing this weekend. We can try our best, but sometimes you just can’t beat nature. I’m hoping it all goes ahead as I’ve got a nice book of rides at Doncaster.
Doncaster Saturday
If racing does go ahead, I’ve got a nice book of rides. Fruit N Nut (11:45 am) is a horse we’ve always liked, and I think he should improve plenty for his last run. He’s still pretty unexposed compared to the rest of them, he’s been in good form at home and I think he’ll go well.
I haven’t ridden Makety (12:20 pm), Loughdergh Rocco (12:55 pm), or Trojan Horse (1:30 pm) before, but they’ve all got decent spots of form on paper. Loughdergh Rocco’s second to Gelino Bello has been franked and he will hopefully take a step forward from that run, while Trojan Horse showed a good level of ability on the Flat for Mark Johnston and has taken to hurdling well for Anthony Honeyball too.
It’s interesting that Joseph O’Brien brings recent Punchestown winner Nusret over. He’s certainly one to keep an eye on. I know Marown (2:05 pm) well. He was a good novice over both hurdles and fences, and he then just lost his way a bit last year. His last couple of runs have been a step back in the right direction, so hopefully, he can now take full advantage of what looks a fair handicap mark.
I was just touched off last time on Heroique De Maulde (2:40 pm). He’s been given a nice break since that run and he’s a horse I’m hoping can take a bit of beating.
Snow Leopardess to benefit from Becher run
Looking back on last weekend, Snow Leopardess ran a good race for what was basically her first start if the season having been pulled up at the first at Warwick the start before. She took a good blow and I think she’ll come on a fair bit for the run. She’s a big girl and is the type who’ll probably benefit a lot from that run. She jumped fantastically and it was a solid run considering she was carrying 11st-12lb compared to 10st-04lb last year.
Maximilian ran well but came back with a small problem. It won’t keep him off the track for long and the fact that he still managed to finish third is encouraging. He’ll be back in the New Year, all being well.
Dreams Of Home was taking on fit horses and giving them weight when winning up at Kelsoon Sunday, so that was an encouraging start to his campaign. He can only improve on that run and he’s a nice young horse to look forward to in 2023.
General Officer won at Musselburgh on Monday, even though I didn’t feel he was at his best. I think he can take another step forward from that run and is another to look forward to in the new year.
