Racing: Richard Hughes at it again

Published on 30/10/2012 03:15

RICHARD Hughes was at it again at Leicester yesterday with a 346-1 four-timer.

Hot on the heels of riding seven of the eight winners at Windsor two weeks ago, the champion jockey-elect gave the bookies a real fright by landing the first three races in the Midlands. Hughes and Intrigo (5-1) landed the first division of the nursery for boss Richard Hannon, Take The Lead (11-4) won the Median Auction Maiden Fillies’ Stakes, also for Hannon, while Hughes teamed up with Maiden on Barbs Princess (11-2).

He was narrowly denied on Shamaal Nibraas in the next by Justonefortheroad but he took the finale, the second division of the nursery, on Glossy Posse (11-8).

“His following among punters has grown even larger since his magnificent seven, and when he racked up an immediate treble at Leicester, we feared we were heading for another Black Monday just a fortnight after his Windsor exploits,” said Coral’s David Stevens. “Luckily on this occasion, Richard added only one more to his tally, and we have definitely avoided a multi-million pound hammering.

“He has enjoyed a fantastic season, and is a worthy champion, but from our point of view we’ll be glad when this Flat season is over and he goes on his winter holiday!”

At Bangor meanwhile, Jonjo O’Neill’s Tominator, last seen finishing third in the Cesarewitch, made a winning debut over timber in the Novices’ Hurdle. Settled in the rear, Tony McCoy’s mount gradually warmed to the task and made up ground on the leaders eyecatchingly before the turn into the straight.

As you would expect from a 1-2 favourite he had little trouble in drawing away to win by 12 lengths from Harris Garden but there is room for improvement in his jumping. McCoy said: “He was novicey at a few hurdles and he’d schooled better at home than he jumped here. Not making excuses but the sun was pretty bad down the back so that didn’t help but it will have taught him plenty and he’ll have gained experience from it.”