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Love Island's Chris Hughes excited as 'legend' Annie Mc heads to Fairyhouse

Chris Hughes is aiming to take part in the Ride of their Lives charity race at York on June 16
Chris Hughes: expecting a big performance from Annie McCredit: David Parry

Love Island star and Coral ambassador Chris Hughes believes Annie Mc has an excellent chance of making her first start at Grade 1 level a winning one.

The Jonjo O'Neill-trained five-year-old is the sole British runner at Fairyhouse on Sunday as she takes on 16 rivals in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Novice Hurdle Championship Final (2.50).

On her last start the 138-rated hurdler, who is owned by the Coral Champions Club, stepped up markedly on previous efforts when putting her Grade 2 opponents at Newbury firmly in their place to the tune of eight lengths.

"We're very excited," Hughes said on Saturday. "She looks really well, she's got a good coat on her and her work at home has been absolutely great, probably better than her form going into Newbury when she hacked up last time.

Chris Hughes with Annie Mc after the mares' handicap hurdle at Chepstow
Chris Hughes with Annie Mc after the mares' handicap hurdle at Chepstow

"The way she came out of that race and how she's been since meant we couldn't not run her. She'll be there all guns blazing."

Having run only six times under rules, this will certainly be Annie Mc's biggest test to date, with the Henry de Bromhead-trained Honeysuckle, who defeated her in a point-to-point at Dromahane in April 2018, perhaps the biggest danger, while last month's Cheltenham Festival winner Eglantine Du Seuil leads a seven-strong Willie Mullins team into battle.

"This is a big step up and we'll have to wait and see if she has Grade 1 ability, but I genuinely think she'll win this race," said Hughes.

"They'll go a good gallop, which should suit her perfectly, and if she stalks them and jumps two out in contention I think she'll outstay all of them. There are a lot of good horses in this race, but if I could sit on any of them it would be her."

As a Coral ambassador, Hughes has been involved with Annie Mc – who will be ridden on Sunday by Jonjo O'Neill jnr – since she was bought by the Coral-affiliated syndicate for £20,000 at the Punchestown sales in May 2018.

The TV star, who regularly rides work at O'Neill's Gloucestershire stable, added: "Being a Coral ambassador I've been involved with her right from the word go really. I rode her the first day she was at Jonjo's and I remember sitting on her and doing an Instagram video in which I said I thought this horse was a bit of a legend – I just got a great feel off her right away.

"Every time I've got a bit of free time I pop up to Jonjo's and ride a bit of work, but I always make sure I sit on Annie. She's just brilliant and properly honest."

Asked if we were about to see the next great mare named 'Annie', Hughes, who will be in attendance at Fairyhouse, replied: "She'll do well to be as good Annie Power, but we'll see."


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Tom WardRacing Post Reporter

Published on 20 April 2019inPreviews

Last updated 12:54, 21 April 2019

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