Brian Hughes reigns as Minella Drama delivers topweight triumph in Auld Reekie

Sunday: Musselburgh

It may have been a new year but it was still the same jockey on top as Brian Hughes triumphed in the feature Auld Reekie Chase on Minella Drama.

The Donald McCain-trained runner made all under top weight to strike in his first handicap start in more than a year, with success sealed after a final-fence blunder by Cooper's Cross.

Last seen finishing third behind Hitman in a graduation chase, the Grade 2 winner thrived on his return to calmer waters to score by six and a half lengths under the champion jockey.

"He's not easy but he's got a bit of ability," Hughes said. "We kind of hoped that performance would be there but you're never sure.

"He needs a proper run to get the gas out of him as he's inclined to just charge down to a fence and meet it halfway up. He can jump for a little horse, and with top weight it was a good performance."

Hughes and McCain completed a double in the Hogmaneigh Handicap Hurdle when they struck with Nayati, who claimed his third win of the season.

With the winning trainer absent, it was left to Hughes to wash down the 11-1 winner as owner Nick Burrows expressed his joy at making the four-hour drive from Cheshire to see the success.

Brian Hughes strikes again at Musselburgh on NayatiCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

"We've come here with confidence and we couldn't believe the price he was this morning," Burrows said. "He had a big absence due to injury and ever since he's come back he's been nothing but spectacular.

"I said to Donald we should give every horse 1,000 days off – he wasn't having that as a tactic! He's just come back with a new lease of life and Brian makes all the difference."

Wrong course woes

Craig Nichol was handed a 12-day suspension after taking the wrong course in the 3m handicap hurdle.

Nichol was leading the field on 11-1 shot Northern Falcon when he took the wrong bend after the fifth flight, leaving eventual winner Brandy McQueen in front.

Nichol pulled up the Pauline Robson-trained runner immediately, before facing a stewards' inquiry and receiving a suspension, which is set to begin on January 15.

The incident follows on from the suspension of Tom Buckley on Wednesday, who was also handed a 12-day ban for taking the wrong course at Leicester.

How the incident unfolded

Northern Falcon leads the field in the 3m handicap hurdle under Craig Nichol

Northern Falcon begins to drift left with his jockey doing his bets to correct course

Northern Falcon continues to drift left and begins to head towards the wrong course

The leader heads to the wrong side of the rail and Nichol is forced to pull his mount up

The stewards' report said: "An inquiry was held to consider the reason Northern Falcon, ridden by Craig Nichol, had appeared to take the incorrect course after jumping the last hurdle in the back straight, running on the wrong side of the rail and the marker denoting the chase course, whereupon Nichol pulled the gelding up.

"The rider was interviewed and shown recordings of the incident. Having heard Nichol's explanation, the rider was suspended for 12 days for taking the wrong course."

After picking up the running, Brandy McQueen stuck on for a two-length success to secure a welcome win following a string of runner-up finishes.

"He's been second three times and it's been frustrating every time he's come close, so it was really sweet to finally get ahead," said joint-trainer Harriet Graham. "He's tricky, he kicks and bites, but we love him at home because he's got so much character."

Results, replays and analysis

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