Ban woe for Hughes

Richard Hughes will have to concede a head-start of a month to his rivals for the jockeys’ championship after he failed in his application to the British Horseracing Authority not to reciprocate a 50-day ban incurred in India.

Hughes was suspended in February for reportedly not riding to instructions, an offence that is not punishable under British rules, and he turned to the BHA after failing to get the ban overturned in India.

The Irishman will not be able to compete in Britain until April 30 – when the Mumbai season has ended – and his odds of a first domestic title were lengthened.