Hughes ready for another title battle

RICHARD HUGHES has confirmed his intention to have another serious attempt at winning the Flat jockeys championship.

The 38-year-old went so close to landing the title in 2010, his prolonged duel with Paul Hanagan brightening up the last weeks of the Flat season.

It went all the way through until the last day of the season at Doncaster in November with Hughes eventually going down by two (191-189) to his great rival.

Richard Hannon’s stable jockey is keen to have another go, having recharged his batteries with a month off and spells in India and Dubai.

“I enjoyed every minute of it. Every horse you went out on had a chance, if you were riding no-hopers then it would be tiring,” he said.

“I got a taste for it last year. You always see how you are going after Ascot or nearer Goodwood and see how you are going, but you’d like to have 100 winners up by Goodwood if you have any chance.

“I’m as fit as a fiddle. I’ve nothing else to do so I may as well ride horses.”

Hughes is particularly looking forward to riding Canford Cliffs, on whom he won three Group Ones last season. “I can’t wait to take on Goldikova with Canford Cliffs. Everyone knows how highly I’ve rated him, but he’ll probably be better as a four-year-old.”