Hughes appeal confirmed

Jockey Club officials have confirmed they have received notice that Richard Hughes is to appeal against the five-day ban he was given at York on Thursday.

The appeal will be heard at Portman Square next Friday.

Hughes was one of a host of jockeys hit with suspensions on the final day of York’s Ebor meeting.

His five-day ban came after a rough race for the Melrose Stakes in which Hughes, Jamie Spencer and Johnny Murtagh were all given “holidays” of varying lengths.

The championship contender was found guilty of minor irresponsible riding on board Dune, the officials deciding the Irishman had manoeuvred out on to Richard Quinn’s mount Stance.

Soon after, Hughes’s mount became the meat in the sandwich between Johnny Murtagh’s mount Kasthari and eventual winner Total Turtle ridden by Jamie Spencer.

Immediately following the race Hughes stormed: “I will appeal, I nearly hit the deck and I have a five-day ban – for nothing.”