RED-HOT TIP FOR AINTREE
STARTS WITH THE BEST RACING GOOD MEWS Star cut for National
JASON HEAVEY MOUNT MEWS was the highlight of a brilliant four-timer for jockey Brian Hughes at Kelso yesterday. The rider, who is enjoying a fabulous season, had a steering job on Malcolm Jefferson’s novice to win the Grade Two Premier Hurdle. The horse is likely to run next at Aintree. Hughes also won the listed Premier Chase on Seldom Inn for Sandy Thomson as well as booting home Clan Legend and The Orange Rogue for trainer Nick Alexander. In November Hughes remarkably rode a five-timer and two seconds at Musselburgh. He is second in the race for the jockeys’ championship behind Richard Johnson on a career-best 122 winners. Earlier the Jefferson yard confirmed that unbeaten chaser Waiting Patiently would miss the Cheltenham Festival due to a minor injury.
Brian Ellison’s star brushed aside his rivals under Danny Cook and now looks bound for Aintree.
But his owner may still need some convincing as he is not a huge fan of the race.
The horse will also school over National-style fences before he is given the nod.
Definitly Red jumped to the front with a bold leap four fences from home and won by 14 lengths from 2016 Grand National runner-up The Last Samuri.
Ellison said: “Providing he schools well over the National-style fences, he’ll go to Aintree. They are building two at Malton.
“I can’t see why he won’t take to them as he is such a good jumper.”
Wi n n i n g owner Phil Martin said: “That’s my biggest win. I’m not a big fan of the National but I put him in. We’ll go along with the idea.”
Paddy Power cut Definitly Red to 16-1 from 25-1.