RACING:RICHARD HUGHES will continue his fight to become champion jockey after his chances were dealt a big blow when unsuccessful yesterday in an appeal against a six-day suspension. The title-chasing jockey was found guilty of careless riding after guiding Barney Curley's Aviso to success in division two of the Cleanwastesolutions Handicap at Wolverhampton on Saturday evening.
“It’s frustrating but there’s nothing I can do about it and I’ve just got to keep going as hard as I can up until the day I’m banned,” said Hughes. “Then I’ll have to assess things when I get back.
“I’ll give it a go and do my best, that’s all I can do.”
The stewards at Dunstall Park found that in manoeuvring his mount to the left, Hughes had caused multiple interference.
Hughes admitted to the breach of the rules, but was appealing against the severity of the ban.
The jockey will be sidelined for seven consecutive days (October 16th-22nd) as he also incurred a one-day whip suspension on the same Wolverhampton card.
The ban also means Hughes will be unable to compete on Champions’ Day at Newmarket on October 16th.
Hughes’ solicitor, Andrew Chalk, added: “As you would expect, Richard presented a strong case for a reduction in penalty and he thought that he’d done more than enough to get a result.
“We await the reasons but, in all the circumstances, Richard is understandably extremely disappointed with the outcome.” Hughes did enjoy a change of fortune later in the day, however, as Vanguard Dream won the seven-furlong nursery at Newbury.
He is still 10 winners behind championship leader Paul Hanagan prior to last night’s Wolverhampton evening fixture.
William Hill reacted to the news of Hughes’ failed appeal by pushing the Irishman out to 9 to 2 from 100 to 30 to be crowned champion jockey. With the season officially coming to an end on November 6th, the same firm have cut Hanagan to 1 to 8 from 1 to 5 to lift the title for the first time.
Dessie Hughes is seeking glory with Sarteano and Montero in the Munster National at Limerick on Sunday. Both horses have had the benefit of a run already this autumn, Montero being prominent for some way in the Kerry National and Sarteano finishing second at Navan. “The two of them run on Sunday. Santeano ran well in Navan and the other fellow ran a good race in the Kerry National,” said the Co Kildare trainer.
Lanigan hopeful for Meeznah
DAVID LANIGAN is praying Meeznah can finally open her Pattern-race account in the Pride Stakes at Newmarket on Saturday week.
The three-year-old ran a fantastic race to finish a narrow second to Snow Fairy in the Oaks Classic at Epsom back in June and she has since run well in defeat in the Irish Oaks, the Yorkshire Oaks and the Park Hill Stakes.
A lack of stamina was to blame for her defeat in the latter race at Doncaster and she will be back over a mile and a half at Newmarket on Champions’ Day.
“She’s in great form and did a nice piece of work on Wednesday, which went well,” said Lanigan.
“Hopefully she’s going to run, although we wouldn’t want too much rain for her.
“They are saying it’s good to soft at the moment and that should be fine.”
Kieren Fallon has been on board the filly for her last couple of races but Lanigan hopes Ted Durcan, in the plate at Epsom and at the Curragh, will be able to renew his association with her next weekend.
“We’ll have to see what Godolphin are doing but Ted’s hopefully set for the ride,” the trainer added.
