Brian Hughes: Looking forward to Chasing Fire in the Towton
It’s been an interesting week in the title race. With Sean Bowen’s injury and Harry Cobden doing so well, the title race could get interesting! Thankfully for Sean, I don’t think it’s going to keep him off the track for too long, but Harry sure is going well.
I had a fistful of seconds last week which are worth keeping an eye on, notably Flaubert, who ran in a Musselburgh bumper. He’s a nice horse to keep on the right side of and he should go jumping next. Chatshow Host, who certainly improved for the better ground and the step up to three miles, is another to note down. She’ll jump a fence next year.
Friday at Sedgefield
One More Stroke (1:07 pm) is a nice type of horse. He ran really well in his bumper despite not being the bumper type. He’s better suited to jumping, so should take a nice step forward in this.
Speed Davis (3:42 pm) won a point-to-point before picking up a bit of a knock on his first run for us at Kelso, so we needed to give him a bit of time off. He’s ready for this now and, along with One More Stroke, would be one of my best chances for the day.
Saturday at Wetherby
I’ve ridden a couple of Mr and Mrs Whateley’s horses so far this year and am looking forward to getting on Chasing Fire (1:10 pm) in the feature at Wetherby. We know there’s going to be Willie Mullins’ horse in the mix that won the big chase in Leopardstown last month and also one from Jamie Snowden in there as well. It’s a competitive race, with it being run a bit earlier in the year and over 2m4f rather than 3m, but hopefully, we’ve got a chance with a good, clear round.
My ride in the first, Leitrim Chief (12:35 pm) should go well. He has every right to improve for his first run and go close in a maiden hurdle like this.
Cornerstone Lad (2:15 pm) could be my best chance on the day. He won a similar race to this last year, so we know he loves this track, and he thrives in deep ground. He’s off a nice mark and should go well.
Singapore Trip (2:50 pm) ran well on the last day. He’s just one of these French horses who can take a bit of time to acclimatise and get used to our way of racing. He seems to have settled in well now and if he improves like he did from his first to his second run, he should be in with a good chance.
Shighness (3:25 pm) ran a nice race first time over fences, coming fourth in a field of some highly regarded horses. I don’t think the ground was slow enough for her last time out, but a reproduction of her first run here could see her bang there. The track and trip should suit her perfectly, too.
Wrappedinrubies (3:57 pm) was unlucky not to win her last point-to-point, where she just got hampered up the run-in and was only narrowly beaten. She’s pleased us at home with everything we’ve asked of her, and you’d like to think soft ground won’t hold any fears given her effort on heavy ground in that recent point-to-point.
