Hughes to appeal Wolverhampton ban

Richard Hughes will launch an appeal after the championship-chasing jockey was banned for seven days at Wolverhampton on Saturday night.

Hughes’ attempts to claw back Paul Hanagan’s lead at the summit of the jockeys’ championship were dealt a serious blow when he was found guilty of careless riding aboard Aviso, who won the concluding handicap.

The jockey received a six-day suspension for that offence, before which he was banned one day for using his whip with excessive frequency on Tallawalla, runner-up in division two of the extended nine-furlong handicap.

Hughes is now due to be out of action between October 16-22, which will see him miss Champions’ Day at Newmarket (October 16).

But his agent, Tony Hind, claims the rider will appeal the six-day careless-riding ban.

He said: “I’ve spoken to Richard (on Sunday morning) and he said he is definitely appealing.

“He is appealing against the severity of the suspension which he feels didn’t warrant the offence.”

Hughes currently trails Hanagan by nine winners.