Total domination: even the sheep can't stop Hughes as he notches 40-1 five-timer

Thursday: Sedgefield

Brian Hughes strengthened his chance of winning the jump jockeys' championship for the second successive season with a fabulous five-timer at combined odds of 40-1.

Hughes was the toast of punters as he scored on all but one of his six rides, with four of the winners returning as favourite.

After teaming up with Donald McCain to take the first two races on My Little Toni and Master Malachy, the champion jockey finished unplaced on Gordon's Jet in the third race.

However, normal service was resumed on market leaders Raecius Felix and Leopolds Rock – the latter race was delayed after a sheep got on to the course from an adjacent field – for Rebecca Menzies and Phil Kirby respectively before Hughes gained his fifth win on the aptly named Who's The Guv'nor.

"You get days like this when you come for a lot of fancied rides and nothing goes well, but I had a bit of luck today – only one got away," Hughes told Sky Sports Racing.

In the early part of the season, the reigning champ trailed Sean Bowen, but he is now 17 winners clear of that rival and well on course for a third title in four seasons.

My Little Toni gets the ball rolling for Hughes in the openerCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Hughes, who rode a five-timer at Musselburgh last October, had to be aware of a loose horse as he brought up the five-timer on the Micky Hammond-trained Who's The Guv'nor following Liam Harrison's unseat on Blue Sans in the 2m5f novice handicap chase.

"It was a bit unfortunate what happened to Liam and the loose horse was a bit of a nightmare, but I was keen to keep the pressure on as he jumped better when we were going on that stride," the jockey said.

Hughes is unbeaten in three runs on Who's The Guv'nor now, and Hammond said: "He gets on well with most horses, doesn't he? This horse likes the quicker ground and has taken to the fences well, and we're delighted."

Results, replays and analysis

Catch our in-depth review of the weekend's racing every Monday in the Racing Post. With big-race analysis from Classic-winning jockey George Baker, Chris Cook's take on the weekend action, eyecatchers from the Raceform team, weekly awards and much more, it is not to be missed.