Double reverse leaves Hughes undeterred after Johnson closes gap in title race

The race to be champion jockey spectacularly burst back into life on Thursday, with the two protagonists engaged in battles at the opposite ends of Great Britain.

While defending champion Richard Johnson made an immediate impact on his return to action after injury with a brace at Musselburgh, Brian Hughes was busy trying to find victories at the BHA's headquarters at High Holborn in London.

Hughes, who leads Johnson by 18 in his quest for a maiden title, gave evidence in two independent disciplinary panel appeals, and was so committed to try and get back in the saddle later in the day he had various modes of transport lined up in an attempt to get to Musselburgh for a ride in the final race of the card.

That plan came unstuck with the first appeal running long, but speaking after the conclusion of the second appeal, where he successfully had a whip ban reduced to two days from four, Hughes reiterated his determination to try and keep out in front.

He said: "I've no different opinion than what I had before. I'm going to do what I can do every day and try and ride as many winners as possible and keep my head down."

The recent bad weather has hindered Hughes in his attempts to pull further clear after Johnson suffered a broken arm last month, and Hughes added: "We've been unfortunate and missed a lot of racing. I think it has been 12 meetings in the last couple of weeks but it is what is."

Johnson's swift recovery from injury could lead to a thrilling conclusion to this season's title race, and next month's Cheltenham Festival offers opportunities for some high-profile successes.

Brian Hughes and Richard Johnson have renewed rivalriesCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

But all wins are counted equal when it comes to the title race, and while Johnson is engaged at Prestbury Park, Hughes has designs on adding to his lead away from the spotlight.

He said: "Dickie's a great fella and it's good to see him back in time for Cheltenham. He looks like he's got some good rides there and I wish him all the best with them.

"I hope to be there but wouldn't have a strong book of rides. There's plenty of racing on around Cheltenham so I'll be at the other meetings as well to try and get a few winners on the board. A lot of my trainers have a lot of horses ready to run so I'm looking forward to the next couple of months."

That dedication to finding winners was evident on Thursday, as Hughes gave evidence in two appeals which had potential ramifications on the title race.

First up was an appeal into the decision of the Bangor stewards to reverse the placings of a novices' hurdle won by Hughes aboard Minella Trump earlier this month.

The raceday stewards decided Hughes had caused sufficient interference to original runner-up The Cashel Man, who was beaten half a length. An independent disciplinary panel upheld those findings with The Cashel Man and Jeremiah McGrath keeping the race.

The second appeal concerned a four-day ban given to Hughes by the Wolverhampton stewards last Sunday for using his whip down the shoulder in the forehand position aboard The Dancing Poet, who finished second in a jumpers bumper at the track.

While finding Hughes in breach of the rules, the panel accepted he was concerned with safety as well as trying to obtain the best possible position in the closing stages with his mount hanging right-handed. They therefore reduced his ban to two days, ruling him out of action on March 8 and 9.

Had proceedings finished quicker, Hughes was planning to ride Away At Dawn for Donald McCain in the closing bumper at Musselburgh, a race which completed a double for title rival Johnson aboard the Olly Murphy-trained Dubai Guest.

Hughes said: "We had a fairly harum scarum route to get back to Musselburgh but the first trial ran over.

"There was a motorbike taxi, which I wasn't looking forward to, and a very expensive flight. Maybe there'll be another day for the motorbike taxi."

Another day of planes, trains and automobiles could be in the offing for Hughes, with the BHA conducting an investigation into the circumstances surrounding a three-day ban hereceived for weighing in light at Carlisle earlier in February.

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