'It’s exciting going forward with him' - champion jockey impressed as They Call Me Hugo makes smart start

They Call Me Hugo made the perfect start under rules with victory in the 2m4f maiden hurdle for Olly Murphy.

The five-year-old had won a British point-to-point by 23 lengths in February and proved that was no fluke when justifying 13-8 favouritism under Sean Bowen.

They Call Me Hugo always travelled well and found another gear after the last to beat Inishcorker by two and a quarter lengths, claiming victory in a race won in 2023 by subsequent Grade 1 winner The Jukebox Man. 

"I thought we went an even gallop for the ground," Bowen told Sky Sports Racing. "He travelled strongly and jumped very well. He had a good look around when he was in front and seemed to enjoy that wet ground."

Last season's champion jockey, who has a commanding lead again this term, said: "You can see why he didn’t win his first two points: he’s a nice, big horse and he’s maturing now. It’s exciting going forward with him."

They Call Me Hugo is owned by the Not One But Two syndicate, who also own Sticktotheplan, an eye-catching Grade 2 winner at Chepstow last month on his yard debut for Murphy.

"It’s a good start for the owners, that’s only the second runner for the yard and two winners now," said Bowen. 

Off the mark

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The son of former rider and trainer Liam Corcoran, a champion novice rider on the point-to-point circuit, struck aboard the David Pipe-trained six-year-old, the pair leading before three out and powering clear for an eight-length success.

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