Richard Hughes: now three behind Ryan Moore in jockeys' title race
PICTURE: Getty ImagesHughes narrows title gap with Bath four-timer
RICHARD HUGHES slashed the gap in the jockeys' title race to just three after a fabulous four-timer at Bath on Tuesday afternoon.
Hughes, who is chasing his first jockey's title, is now on 87 winners with Ryan Moore leading the way on 90. Moore was not in action on Tuesday and Hughes took full advantage with wins on Waspy [11-8f], Dynastic [7-2], Griffin Point [13-8f] and Cockney Fire [8-1].
Stan James took the most evasive action, cutting Hughes to 2-5 (from 8-11) for the title, though he is still available at 8-15 with Paddy Power, Moore is now a general 13-8 chance.
Speaking after the four-timer, Hughes said: "I'm aware of the figures and they are going in the right direction! But I went on holiday for a day last week six behind but when I came back I was 12 behind."
However, there was a sting in the tail for Hughes as he was given a two-day whip ban for his ride on Cockney Fire, which rules him out of action on Tuesday, August 21, but more importantly Saturday, August 25, Ebor day at York and the Celebration Mile at Goodwood.
He was also unable to increase the pressure further on Moore in the evening at Kempton, with both his intended rides non-runners.
Hughes will have the opportunity to make further inroads on Wednesday with Moore again out of action, while Hughes has a total of ten rides spread across Brighton in the afternoon and Kempton in the evening.
