Richard Hughes: No place in my affections

A great start to September with our sole selection at Lingfield Park, Prospera advised at 6-1 winning the 7:20 with some ease. Watching ATR while listening to the Timeform Radio commentary I was uncertain as to whether I was watching and listening to the same race! I wouldn't want to be backing and laying based on the commentary. Hopefully we can capitalize further today at the other end of the spectrum with 7 selections over the two cards at Lingfield at Kempton Park

On the subject of Timeform Radio: It was rather ironic that on a day Richard Hughes rides a treble of seconds at Goodwood, among the topics of conversation was Hughie's tendency not to ride out a finish, with several emails hitting their inbox siting races to provide conclusive proof.

It isn't until you hear others sharing your own opinion that you realize that you are not in a minority of one.

Richard Hughes, riding high at the top of the 2013 jockeys championship with a 22% strike rate, 16 wins ahead of his nearest rival Ryan Moore, is without doubt a top jockey but I witness repeatedly, rides where once his mount has lost chance of the first prize it is eased down.

You can imagine as a 'speed handicapper' how this distorts ratings but the biggest question of all is why the stewards of the BHA turn a blind eye to it!