CHAMPION jockey elect Brian Hughes is struggling to find a ride in next Saturday’s Randox Grand National.
While the world’s most famous steeplechase takes place at Aintree, the jockey, who has turned the title battle into a one-horse race, is likely to be riding at Bangor-on-Dee. Hughes, a staggering 89 winners clear of his nearest rival in the riders' table, will be crowned champion for the second time on April 23. He was also an absentee from this year’s Cheltenham Festival because he did not have any rides.
Richard Hale, the jockey’s agent, said: “At Cheltenham we couldn’t get a ride. People have their own jockeys. If they have got good horses, they are not going to change the jockeys. It’s not easy to get on a good one. This year’s National is full of Irish-trained horses. Willie Mullins has what, 10 to 12 jockeys riding out for him. If he could get on a fancied one, he would be there like a shot. It’s the race you want to win as a jockey.”
Hughes has fallen at the first fence four times in the National including on Vicente in the 2016 National. “Vicente came out and won the Scottish Grand National, a week later, but not with Brian in the saddle,” Hale added.
Despite his poor record in the race, only once completing the course from eight rides, Hughes won over the National fences on Always Waining in the 2010 Topham Chase. He is now 11 winners shy of 200 for the season, a feat only Richard Johnson, AP McCoy and Peter Scudamore have achieved.
He rode a double at Wetherby on Thursday and is odds-on to hit the double century. The three-day Aintree Grand National meeting begins on Thursday April 7, culminating with the £500,000 Randox Grand National at 5.15pm on April 9.
