Halford admits tough task for Hujaylea Michael Halford fears Hujaylea faces a massive ask in his bid to repeat last year's victory in the Social Harmony EBF Irish Cambridgeshire at the Curragh on Sunday. The eight-year-old took the one-mile handicap 12 months ago off a mark of 87, but this time runs from a rating of 105 and has to carry the welter weight of 9st 12lb. With last year's winning jockey Conor Hoban sidelined through injury, Halford has booked 10lb claiming apprentice Mark Monaghan to reduce the burden as much as possible. "Hujaylea is back again, but he's got a lot more weight on his back this year," said Halford. "Conor Hoban, his regular partner, is out injured, so we're claiming 10lb off him with Mark Monaghan. "We're hoping with that bringing him down the weights a bit we might get a good run from him, but it's a tough task being near the top of the handicap." However, Halford is expecting a big run from his other runner, Defining Year. The three-year-old has not been over-raced and delighted his trainer when third to Stunning View in a valuable handicap at the Galway Festival a month ago. "He's a good, consistent horse. He's in good form and went very well in Galway in a big handicap," the Kildare trainer added. "He has a good draw (one) and any rain that falls would help him. "I'd be hoping for a big run as he's done well since Galway."
