Hughes keeps up title challenge with treble

Richard Hughes was in sparkling form at Lingfield as he chalked up a 125-1 treble on Piping Dream, Majestic Manner and Whaleweigh Station to assume favouritism with some firms in the jockeys’ title race.

The dual champion still trails Ryan Moore but continues to put up a strong defence of his crown and his homework on the straight turf course paid dividends as he brought all his winners down the stands rail.

Hughes showed his intent on Piping Dream (8-1) as he moved the Richard Hannon-trained filly from her wide draw to the rail in the 188Bet Nursery Handicap.

It paid off as she made all but it was a close call to keep out Jubilee Spirit by a head.

Hughes repeated the trick on the William Haggas-trained Majestic Manner (5-2 favourite), holding off her main market rival Ajaadat by a length and a quarter in the British Stallion Studs EBF Maiden Fillies’ Stakes.

Hughes turned the British Assessment Bureau Median Auction Maiden Stakes into a procession as Whaleweigh Station (3-1) trotted up by nine lengths.

Paddy Power trimmed Hughes to 4-5 favourite from evens for what would be a third championship, with long-time leader Moore 10-11 from 8-11.

Moore responded with a hard-fought win on Michael Stoute’s Alex Vino, the well-backed 2-1 favourite, in the 188Bet Great In Play Handicap before going on to Kempton for the evening meeting.

Apprentice Amy Scott denied Hughes on Conquestadim when making most of the running on Eve Johnson Houghton’s Sparkling Ice (7-1) in the 188Bet Claiming Stakes.