They Call Me Hugo
They Call Me Hugo did well to get as close as he got in the Grade 2 Bristol Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham on Saturday. Held up by Sean Bowen through the early stages of the race, he was still last of the tightly-knit seven-strong group as they turned at the top of the hill and began the descent to the second last flight. He travelled well around the home turn on the outside, only about three lengths off the leader Conman John but still only fifth. Short of room on the run to the final flight, he had to check and switch to his right, which wasn't ideal, checking momentum as the pace increased. Still only fifth jumping the final flight, he stayed on powerfully up the hill to join in a three-way go for the line, just failing by a short head to catch Carlenrig.
It was a fine run by Olly Murphy's horse on just his second run over hurdles. The early pace was not strong, as evidenced by the winner's finishing speed of 113% of overall speed, and They Call Me Hugo was fastest of all through the final four furlongs and through the final furlong. A point-to-point winner, he won his maiden hurdle at Ffos Las over two and a half miles, but he saw out the three-mile trip well here. He saw it out off a sedate pace, admittedly but, given how strongly he finished off his race, it is possible that he could be seen to even better effect off a stronger pace. This is a race that has been a good pointer to the Albert Bartlett Hurdle, Black Jack Ketchum, Nenuphar Collonges, Kilbricken Storm and Unowhatimeanharry all won both races, and They Call Me Hugo is fully deserving of his place in the Albert Bartlett conversation now.
Cheltenham, 13th December 2025
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