Victories at Cheltenham Festival are one of the bucket list items of jockeys on the National Hunt, but winning the elite events is a tricky proposition. Brian Hughes has been an erstwhile presence on the circuit for a number of years, but success at the top events has been thin on the ground.
Hughes put forward an excellent performance in 2018 to win the Ascot Chase with Waiting Patiently and also triumphed in the Top Novices’ Hurdle with Cyrus Darius. The jockey also has two victories at Cheltenham Festival under his belt, although not in the so-called signature races.
He guided Ballyalton and Mister Whitaker to victories in the Centenary Novices’ Handicap Chase in 2016 and 2018 respectively, and also triumphed in the Fred Winter Juvenile Novices’ Handicap Hurdle in 2014 with Hawk High. Hughes has proven that with the right quality, he can win top events, and he will be hopeful as he details in his blog that the two charges can bring him success in the 2021/22 campaign in the National Hunt.
He guided Ballyalton and Mister Whitaker to victories in the Centenary Novices’ Handicap Chase in 2016 and 2018 respectively, and also triumphed in the Fred Winter Juvenile Novices’ Handicap Hurdle in 2014 with Hawk High. Hughes has proven that with the right quality, he can win top events, and he will be hopeful as he details in his blog that the two charges can bring him success in the 2021/22 campaign in the National Hunt.
Minella Trump will be hopeful of emulating the success of fellow Minella’s on the National Hunt by making a decisive impact over the course of the season. Minella Times won the Grand National last season, while Minella Indo triumphed in the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Minella could well become a name that becomes synonymous with winning during the campaign. With Hughes in the saddle, Minella Trump has won his last five races on the bounce, including all four to start the new term.
Very impressive! Minella Trump remains unbeaten with a facile win to provide jockey Brian Hughes with a treble and @donaldmccain with a double at @SedgefieldRace pic.twitter.com/H1BTerj74R
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) December 6, 2019
His winning run has included a fine performance at Sedgefield, defeating the rest of the field by a comfortable margin. Trainer Donald McCain Jnr has the bay gelding firing on all cylinders, but whether he will be able to raise the standard of his performances remains to be seen. He could be a contender for the Grand Annual Chase or even the Centenary Novices’ Handicap Chase again. If Minella Trump can raise the standard of his displays, he could make a charge for the Ryanair Chase, but it would be a gamble pitting him against the true elite of the field.
Presentandcounting could also be in consideration for a run at Cheltenham. He enjoyed a strong start to the season, and produced a stellar performance in the Hamilton Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase at Cartmel to defeat his nearest rival by 15 lengths. The Irish thoroughbred was caught out by the pace in a contest at Chepstow in the Robert Mottram Memorial Trophy. He finished third behind Tea Clipper and Fidelio Vallis, who were considered the favourites for the event.
However, Presentandcounting was competitive, and has the chance to build on his performances in the future. He could be a true contender for the Ryanair Chase should he find his form over the course of the term. It will be up to McCain to prepare the charge for the challenge, and for Hughes to perform on the day. But the duo are both due a major win at Cheltenham Festival. The 2022 Festival could well see them end their drought.