Hughes judges it perfectly - twice

On a flying visit home from his duties in Britain, County Armagh-born Brian Hughes provided trainer James Lambe with a 149/1 double in Downpatrick yesterday, thanks to perfectly-judged rides on Daytime Dreamer and Kingsmoss.

Persistent rain throughout the day caused the ground to change from an official description of ‘good to firm’ to ‘good to soft’ after just three races.

Hughes was seen to good effect on Daytime Dreamer in the opening Fun For All The Family Handicap Hurdle, producing Lambe’s charge with a perfectly-timed late challenge to beat favourite Bank The Bucks by a half-length with top-weight Black Rock Lake a close third.

“He’s a tricky customer, but has always had ability. On the best of his all-weather form in Dundalk he was entitled to win off his current mark.”

Hughes arrived even later on 14/1 top-weight Kingsmoss in the Win An iPad Handicap Chase, getting the seven-year-old up in the last stride to deny Paul Townend on favourite Drumlister, 9lb. well-in after a win at Tramore on Friday.

Townend allowed the favourite bowl along in front, enjoying a clear lead for most of the journey. And, after the pack closed four from home, only Kingsmoss was close enough to mount a challenge in the closing stages.

Although more than two lengths down jumping the last,. Hughes refused to panic on the top-weight, which was conceding 18lb. to his rival, coaxing him to close gradually before getting up to prevail by a nose.

Lambe admitted: “I thought he wasn’t fully ready, after a break, and might need the run and he was giving away plenty of weight. But Brian gave him a super ride and held onto him for as long as he could. The horse should improve for the run, but I’m not sure where we’ll go with him next.”

Enda Bolger and J P McManus, whose No Notions was put down after breaking a leg in Listowel on Monday, enjoyed better luck when six-year-old Mount Sion made virtually all the running under Nina Carberry to land the Catch Me If You Can Hunters Chase, keeping the Jason McKeown-ridden Canesh at bay by two and three-quarter lengths.

Mattie Bowes commented: “Oliver told me to give her a positive ride and educate her and she jumped lovely,” after partnering the Oliver Brady-trained mare to a chasing debut success in the Fashion On The Filed Beginners Chase. The Rudimentary mare, owned by the Shabra Charity Club, proved eight and a half lengths too strong for Latin Connection. Bowe added: “She’ll appreciate better ground.”