Chris Hughes feeling the nerves as beloved mare Annie Mc heads on Marsh mission

ITV Racing and Love Island star Chris Hughes admitted he will be an “emotional wreck” if Annie Mc wins the Grade 1 Marsh Novices’ Chase at the Cheltenham Festival on Thursday.

Hughes is a part-owner of Annie Mc through the Coral Champions Club, a syndicate run by the betting company which will also be giving five members the chance to experience being an owner for the day.

The Jonjo O’Neill-trained six-year-old has won her last three starts and landed a Grade 2 over hurdles at Newbury last season, leaving Hughes dreaming big for the mare.

“She’s in fine form, jumps as well as anything else in the race and I’m quietly confident – I think we all are,” he said. “She has every right to be there and every chance of winning, so fingers crossed.”

It will not be the first time an ITV personality has had a vested interest in a race, after Oli Bell memorably charged onto the Royal Ascot track in 2017 when Big Orange won the Gold Cup, who was trained by his uncle Michael Bell.

Asked if he could end up doing something similar, Hughes was unable to confirm or deny but expressed how much the occasion will mean to him.

He said: “You never know! Until that moment occurred for Oli I bet he didn’t even know what he would do. We’ll have to wait and see, but I’ll probably be an emotional wreck if she wins!

“That nervous anxiety on the day will be a horrible feeling but we’ll get over it and enjoy it. This is the pinnacle of the sport and will be a day we’ll remember forever.”

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More of Chris Hughes’s thoughts on Annie Mc and his relationship with the mare will be available in Fans’ Favourites inside next week’s Racing Post Weekender – out on Wednesday