Richard Hughes hoping he can sparkle on Chain Lightning
After just one win from a full book of rides at Newbury yesterday, Richard Hughes will be looking to cut the gap to Paul Hanagan in the champion jockey race.
Chain Lightning could provide him a great chance in the first division of the EBF Molson Coors Maiden Stakes at Salisbury today. The horse struggled on his debut, at Sandown Park in July, but has put that start behind him in his last two races. He finished second twice – over seven furlongs at Epsom and Newbury – and the step up to a mile today shouldn’t be a problem given his breeding – by Prix de l’Arc de Arc Triomphe winner Hurricane Run out of a Royal Academy mare.
Ryan Moore’s ride, Cencus, could be a big threat to Hughes if he continues the form he showed at Ffos Las last time out. He finished five-and-a-quarter lengths seventh (out of 10) that day but was by no means disgraced. With more expected from the Colt today he represents decent outside value. Consider that it was Moore who rode a 12-1 winner for Richard Hannon – beating stable Jockey Hughes on the favourite Poppy yesterday – Cencus could be a smart bet. That being said, Chain Lightning still looks the class act here.
Hughes looks set for a winner in the European Breeders' Fund Novice Stakes when he rides Big Issue. He won at Salisbury last month and has gone on to compete at higher levels in his next two races. Big Issue was a half-length second to Titus Mills in Listed race at Goodwood last time out but that was over seven furlongs and a stronger opposition, the drop in trip and class should give this heavily backed favourite a win.
If Whistleinthewind reproduces the run on soft ground he showed at Sandown last time should be a strong player in the Salisbury Francis Clark Chartered Accountants Claiming Stakes. There’s no reason to believe he won’t run to form, he runs the trip well but is still short of his two-year-old form, still worth a punt, however.
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