Brian Hughes: I passed up a ride on Minella Drama!
It was a shame to pass up the ride on Minella Drama at Ascot on Saturday, but I wasn’t well, and it was better that I stayed at home than go to the races.
To me, it looked like a below-par effort. He’s a lot better than he showed there and sometimes we all just have to accept that it doesn’t always go as you’d expect. They are racehorses and not machines.
Friday at Musselburgh
We’re due a frost, so racing might be touch-and-go, but fingers crossed we get the green light as I’ve got a few nice rides, kicking off with Wholeofthemoon (11:55 am).
He’s got plenty of experience over hurdles and was a decent horse on the Flat too, so I’m happy with him and he’s probably one of my better chances on the day.
I won on Hold Onto The Line (1:35 pm) here around this time last year and James Ewart’s stable is in good form, so I’d like to think he’ll run okay.
He weakened in the closing stages, having led for much of the race on his reappearance at Ayr last time out and will hopefully take a step forward for that.
Empire De Maulde (2:10 pm) needs to recapture some of his older form. He’s back over hurdles having been pulled up on his last two starts over fences, so hopefully that will spark a change of fortunes.
I think Not The Chablis (2:45 pm) should run a solid race. He’s a decent type of horse and is back down below his last winning mark.
Finally, Chantilly Moon (3:20 pm) goes in the bumper. He does everything nicely at home and we’ll just have to see how it comes together on the track. You can never expect too much on their first day at school, but he’s certainly been showing some good signs in his work.
Saturday at Doncaster
Sea Grey (12:21 pm) makes his yard debut for Donald McCain, having previously been with David O’Meara. He’s been schooling well at home and showing his liking for a hurdle, so hopefully he can put it all together on the track.
Based on his homework, you’d like to think he goes there with a solid chance.
Chatshow Host (12:56 pm) is a nice staying filly who won two point-to-point races over three miles. Hexham didn’t see her at her best last time, so she’s entitled to take a good step forward from that. I’d like to think she’ll be bang there.
Collingham (1:31 pm) was always there or thereabouts in some decent races last season. He’s been a grand, consistent horse for Jimmy Fyffe and he’s still handicapped to go well.
General Officer (2:06 pm) could be the pick of my rides. He was second to a fair horse of Nigel Twiston-Davies’ (Master Chewy) last time out and lost little in defeat. This looks like a nice spot for him and he looks to hold every chance.
Presenting Pete (2:41 pm) won well at Uttoxeter three starts back and should go well if the ground continues to dry out. Although it’s pretty cold, there’s not much rain in the forecast across Friday and Saturday, so he should get conditions to suit.
