Brian Hughes hopeful race-fit Minella Drama can give Shishkin a good race at Ascot

Brian Hughes is hoping Minella Drama can give Shishkin a good race at Ascot on Saturday when the pair clash in the Grade 2 Nirvana Spa 1965 Chase.

The Donald McCain-trained Minella Drama, who will be partnered by Theo Gillard, is the only horse in the field with a run so far this season and Hughes is hoping that will stand to him in the 2m5f contest.

The champion jockey, who has ridden the eight-year-old in the majority of his races, wrote in his Novibet.ie blog: "With Shishkin to beat, it’s not going to be easy for Minella Drama, but we are the only horse in the field with a run under our belt. He ran well on his return at Aintree and I think going right-handed at Ascot will suit. Strictly on ratings we look fairly matched with Pic D’Orhy, but Shishkin is in the race, and he is a fair horse. I was hoping he’d be going to Haydock!

"We’re fit and I’d love to think we could beat him, but he’s [Shishkin] some horse. I think we’ll give him a good race, though. We’re hoping he likes Ascot and can then pitch up there again in the Ascot Chase in February."

Hughes believes Harry Cobdon could have a few winners at Ascot this afternoon to close the gap to Sean Bowen in the race to be crowned champion jockey, with Daryl Jacob partnering Bravemansgame at Haydock.

He added: "A fair bit has been made of Harry [Cobden] not being at Haydock for Bravemansgame, and if that is because he’s chasing the title then there’s still every chance he can close the gap. There’s plenty of the season left and he rides for one of the most powerful stables in the country."

On his sole ride at Ascot today, Hughes said: "Malystic (3:15pm) needed the run badly the last day, so I think he’ll improve plenty. He worked well the other day and deserves a shot at a race like this. There’s £100k up for grabs in an eight-runner handicap, so you can’t be walking away from those."