Brian Hughes: meet the jockey on course to make breakthrough for the north

The feelgood factor was abundant at Cheltenham last weekend. Older devotees of the winter code felt it heralded the traditional start of the jumps season, although Brian Hughes had already taken more than 300 rides through the summer.

Hughes was on hand to mark the symbolic transition. One non-runner from two booked mounts compromised his prospects of bagging a winner. Nevertheless, his presence at Cheltenham was symbolic in itself. Some analysts of the annual race for the jockeys' title believe this could be the year when the northern-based jockey breaks through.

Hughes raises his eyebrows when the prospect is mentioned. You could almost see what he was thinking: here we are at the start of the season proper and talk has already turned to who might top the pile at the end of April. For a man who lives life on a day-by-day basis, as dictated by the constant threat of injury, six months is a long time to look ahead.