Hughes confident in Martyr Ebor chances
August 17, 2010 11:47:14 UK
Richard Hughes would not swap his ride on Martyr for anything else in Wednesday's totesport Ebor at York.
Richard Hannon's five-year-old has been in fine form of late, winning three of his last four starts, and carries a 4lb penalty in the showpiece race of the meeting after strolling to victory at Goodwood.
Martyr is currently 6.00 to win the totesport Ebor outright, he faces competition from Overturn (7.00) Fortuni (9.00) and Elyaadi (11.00) amongst a host of other contenders.
"I'd be the first one to say I never thought he was an Ebor horse," admitted Hughes, speaking ahead of the launch of www.lovetheraces.com.
"I'd been riding him over a mile and a half and every time I rode him he was off the bridle half a mile out.
"Then when I rode him at Goodwood I was able to take a pull on him half a mile out, he absolutely loved that.
"It was the first time he was able to gallop within himself at Goodwood and even though he was placed at Ascot twice he had bad draws and I had to really use him up to get a position.
"He's as tough as a lion and has a good draw (four) as you can ride him up in the first three and he stays.
"He's got everything you need in a horse to win the Ebor, he just needs good ground.
"I'm happy, I wouldn't swap him."
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