Talking Horses: Brian Hughes given three-day ban for weighing in light

The jockey is chasing a first jump championship but was found in breach when weighed at Carlisle after winning the raceA dropped weight cloth is threatening to become a serious problem for Brian Hughes as he seeks to make himself champion jump jockey for the first time. Hughes weighed in light by 5lb after winning on Bingo D’Olivate at Carlisle on Monday and, because a stewards’ inquiry could not establish the reason why, he was handed a three-day suspension in addition to losing that winner, Bingo D’Olivate being disqualified and placed last.Whether or not Hughes eventually becomes champion, he has surely alreadywon the record for fastest ever submission of an appeal, as the Professional Jockeys Association confirmed through Twitter that he would contest the ban. They did so just two hours after the race in question and less than one hour after the news of the punishment had broken. The three-day ban is standard, under British Horseracing Authority rules, in cases where a jockey weighs in light and the cause is not established. The trainer, James Ewart, was fined £750, which is also the entry-point punishment set out for such cases. But it appears an explanation has come to light, as Ewart told the Racing Post: “The weight cloth was found on the sand walk-in from the course, after a search. Unfortunately, there was no camera to prove Bingo D’Olivate had carried it throughout the race, although John Grossick [photographer]said he had the weight cloth on jumping the last.” Related: Nicky Henderson stable tour: Buveur D’Air on way back for Cheltenham 2021 Continue reading…
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