Hughes set for Ayr raid as he bids to extend lead in title race
Champion jockey Brian Hughes has six booked rides at Ayr today as he bids to increase his lead at the top of this season’s title race which he currently leads from nearest challengers Harry Skelton and Harry Cobden. mounts include Mayo Star for trainer Nicky Richards in the feature race of the day the Virgin Bet Handicap Hurdle for the Craigie Cup. This lightly-raced nine-yearold reverts to hurdling after finishing fourth in a novices’ chase at the track in November. It will be a tough ask for this course and distance winner as his 10 opponents have won 45 races between them. Top weight is the Alistair Whillans-trained Corrieben Reiver, the mount of Blair Campbell, while Dorking Boy, who makes the 700-mile round trip from the Herefordshire stables of Tom Lacey, won last time out at Doncaster and looks well handicapped.
Another horse making a marathon trip is Timeless Beauty who is trained in Upper Lambourn, Berkshire, by Warren Greatrex and lines up in the opening race, the Virgin Bet Mares’ Handicap Hurdle. The six-year-old won over course and distance in Januhughes’ ary and should run another big race with Adrian Heskin riding.
The biggest field of the afternoon is in the Virgin Bet Free Bets For Winners Handicap Hurdle over three miles and half a furlong at 2.32pm in which Dumfriesshire trainer Iain Jardine saddles recent Sedgefield winner The Ogle Gogle Man to be ridden by Conor O’farrell. Set to carry a huge 12st 3lbs on heavy ground over the marathon trip the nine-year-old will have to be at the top of his game to win this and the Olly Murphy-trained Friary Land, the mount of Heskin, looks a real danger.
Meanwhile, Perth Racecourse has received a huge boost with confirmation that William Hill is to be title sponsor of the Scone track’s famous season-opening festival, which will be run behind closed doors.
The William Hill Perth Festival takes place from Wednesday April 21 to Friday April 23, with 21 races including the William Hill Highland National feature on Friday afternoon which will be screened live across the UK by ITV Racing.