Hughes hit by seven-day ban

Richard Hughes‘ hopes of winning his first jockeys‘ championship received a severe blow when he was handed a seven-day ban by the Yarmouth stewards for deliberately trying to hit Shane Kelly or his mount with his whip.

Hughes has been suspended for seven days (September 28-October 4 inclusive) following division two of the Robert Levitt 10 Years In Practice Maiden Handicap in which he rode Copperfields Lass with Kelly on Look Away Now.

After hearing evidence from both jockeys as well as watching a recording of the mile contest, the stewards found that Hughes had deliberately attempted to strike Kelly or his horse about three furlongs out. Both horses finished unplaced.

Hughes currently trails champion jockey Kieren Fallon by 10 (117-107), having won the opening European Breeders Fund/Custom Kitchens Maiden Stakes on Ciel at the seaside track.

But he was hoping to cut the gap even further while Fallon is serving a 14-day ban. Fallon returns to the fray on September 27 - a day before Hughes‘ suspension takes effect.