Brian Hughes breaks 150 winners for the first time after fantastic four-timer

Monday: Carlisle

Brian Hughes soared to a personal best of 150 winners for the season with a decisive 83-1 four-timer at Carlisle on Monday.

The champion jump jockey-in-waiting struck on Skyhill for trainer Alison Hamilton before rounding out the day with success on the Donald McCain-trained trio of Lady Tremaine, Mackenberg and Maximilian.

"It has always been my ambition to ride 150 winners and hopefully if I can stay fit and well, I could be champion jockey," Hughes said.

"Although people are saying it's in the bag, I am not going to count my chickens. It is sport and anything can happen. If we were going into April, it might be mathematically impossible for the gap to close but there is a long way in the championship to go."

Hughes's tally eclipses the 149 winners ridden by Jonjo O'Neill in 1977-Credit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Hughes's tally eclipses the 149 winners ridden by Jonjo O'Neill in 1977-78, which was the best record by a northern jump jockey until Monday, but Hughes is already seeking his next target.

"Every day I ride with the same hunger, I can't be too complacent," he added. "My agent would love to get us to 200 winners. I suppose it is possible, but I would need a lot of luck and for the horses to be in a similar form as they have been.

"It would be great to have a Cheltenham Festival or Aintree winner too. If I can stay healthy and achieve one of these it would be a fantastic end to the season."

'He'll ride anything - like AP' - agent determined to push Brian Hughes to 200

Jones rides out claim

A catalogue of injuries failed to dim the spirit of Kevin Jones and the rider earned a reward for his endeavours when riding out his claim aboard Global Agreement in the 2m1f handicap hurdle.

Jones, 33, was able to celebrate his 75th success in a season that for once was not punctuated by injury, having suffered a multitude of setbacks throughout his 14-year career.

Kevin Jones rides out his claim on Global Agreement (right) at Carlisle on MondayCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

"I keep getting support from trainers and I've always been determined to carry on despite all the setbacks," Jones said.

"You just try to forget about the pain. It's more than a year since my last injury and I suppose I might be due another one now. Fingers crossed it does not happen.

"I'd like to think I can get to 100 winners but I am not thinking any further than that. It's not going to be easy, it's hard for me to do the weight now as I can't run so much after damaging my ankles. But I suppose losing the 3lb claim will help in that respect."

Unbeaten streak continues

Git Maker underlined his promise when defying a penalty in the 2m1f novice hurdle to make it two out of two under rules. He holds an entry for the Ballymore at Cheltenham but trainer Jamie Snowden is focused on his runner's long-term future as a three-mile chaser.

"We'll take it step by step," Snowden said. "That was certainly the last time we'll see him over two miles.

"I was thinking about the EBF Final at Sandown as there was a qualifier at Chepstow on Friday but the ground wasn't soft enough. He's still in the Ballymore and we'll play it by ear. We'll see what the handicapper does and go from there."

Read these next:

'He's absolutely obsessed by riding winners' - another treble for Brian Hughes

'Something isn't right' - Paul Nicholls stumped as he seeks reason for poor form

New Sky Bet customers can get £20 in free bets. New customers only. First single & e/w bet only. Odds of 1/1 or greater. 2 x £10 bet tokens. Free bet stakes not included in returns. Free bets exclude virtuals. Free bets are non-withdrawable. No free bet expiry. Eligibility restrictions. Further T&Cs apply. 18+. begambleaware.org.