The plans of connections have began to firm up ahead of the Coral Scottish Grand National at Ayr, and in a season where he has carried all before him, Brian Hughes will bid to win his first aboard Innisfree Lad.
The gelding is as big as 33/1 in places but that would underestimate his chances severely as he finished third in the Eider Chase behind Win My Wings, and that mare is barely a third of those odds with the bookies.
Hughes should know the horse well as he has partnered him on six starts – notably finishing third in the Borders National at Kelso - on ground that was significantly softer than he will experience on Saturday.
Trainer David Dennis told Sky Sports : “I spoke to his agent and said we'd be mad keen for him to ride if he was available. Thankfully, he rang at the five-day stage and said Brian was available so he can ride him.
“The weights went up 10lb at the five-day stage so he's got 10st 11lb now which brings him into the handicap nicely. His third in the Eider puts him hopefully bang in there with a good each-way chance.
“It was a bit annoying in Kelso's Borders National. It rained heavily the night before, but he still ran an absolute cracker in that. It was just too soft for him in an ideal world. They are currently good to soft (at Ayr) which is perfect."
The rider will be hoping to pick up a number of key mounts over the two-day Festival as his quest for 200 winners in a season has built momentum.
No jockey based in the North has ever recorded more winners in a single season than Hughes and his current tally of 187 surpasses the previous best of 149 winners that Jonjo O’Neill achieved during the 1978-79 campaign.
Elsewhere, Enrilo appears likely to bypass the race as Paul Nicholls is set to keep the horse fresh for the bet365 Gold Cup on the final day of the National Hunt season.
The eight-year-old was first past the post in last year’s renewal of the Sandown prize only to be placed third by the stewards when adjudged to have caused interference to rivals.
