RICHARD HUGHES can pass one of his biggest tests at York today. The Irish jockey has made a highly favourable impression since he went to ride in Britain last year and has partnered well over 120 winners there in the last two seasons.

He has shown a fine range of tactical awareness, steering Cap Juluca to an all-the-way success in the Cambridgeshire and coming from behind to land the Jersey Stakes on tricky customer Lucayan Prince at Royal Ascot.

He now has the task of guiding Welton Arsenal to the useful prize he deserves in today's £12,750-added Allied Dunbar Rated Stakes. Welton Arsenal is a highly-frustrating character, capable of very useful form, yet successful in only two of 20 career starts.

The gelding continually flatters to deceive, looking to be full of running approaching the distance only to find little and fade when victory seemed on the cards. He is undeniably on a winning mark today, 1lb lower than when fourth in the Newbury Spring Cup behind Royal Philosopher, Cool Edge and Cadeaux Tryst.

Hughes showed he can get the best out of the four-year-old when guiding him to success at Warwick in April, delaying his challenge until the last moment to secure a neck victory. Similar tactics today can see Welton Arsenal more than double his career tally of win prize money.

Glow Forum can make it four wins in five starts in the Badger Hill Apprentice Handicap. Though the five-year-old's three recent victories have each come on the all-weather she showed herself just as effective on turf when landing a gamble at Salisbury in May.

Yet the official handicapper appears to disagree, rating the mare fully 10lb lower on grass than an artificial surface. Glow Forum can take full advantage when leading claimer Martin Dwyer maintains what is becoming a profitable partnership.