Hughes picks up three-day ban at Carlisle

Title-chasing jockey lost winner after weighing in light.

Brian Hughes suffered a blip in his quest for a first jump jockeys’ championship when he picked up a three-day ban at Carlisle on Monday.

Having started the day 16 winners ahead of the currently sidelined Richard Johnson, Hughes added another to his tally when taking the opening race at the Cumbrian venue aboard 4-9 favourite Sao Maxence, for trainer James Ewart.

Hughes looked like he would end the afternoon 18 in front after landing the concluding event, again for Ewart, courtesy of 13-8 favourite Bingo D’Olivate.

However, following an objection from the clerk of the scales, the market leader was subsequently disqualified and Hughes suspended “as he had failed to draw the correct weight”. Ewart was handed a £750 fine.

A report from the stewards read: “The clerk of the scales objected to the winner, Bingo D’Olivate, ridden by Brian Hughes, and trained by James Ewart on the grounds of the rider weighing in at 11st having weighed out at 11st 5lbs.

“Bingo D’Olivate was disqualified and the placings were revised as follows: 1st Dequall, 2nd Ballydonagh Boy, 3rd Emissaire and 4th Notwhatiam. The rider, the trainer, the trainer’s representative, a member of racecourse management, the raceday assistant and the clerk of the scales were interviewed.

“Hughes was suspended for three days as he had failed to draw the correct weight. James Ewart was fined £750 as the cause of the weight loss could not be established.”

Hughes will be out of action on March 2, 3 and 4, and will resume on 128 winners for the campaign when his ban ends.

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