Hughes hoping for a perfect day

Perfect Sunday, Clearing and Welcome Friend provided success for the new partnership at the first major fixture of 2001, Newmarket's Craven meeting.

Gosden's Clearing was later a close third and Hannon's Tamburlaine second for Hughes in the French and British 2,000 Guineas respectively. But the 28-year-old soon celebrated his first Group One win for Abdulla when Observatory won last month's Prix d'Ispahan.

"I was anxious to get off to a good start and thank God I did," he said. "My aim for the year was to get a Group One winner. Now I've done that, a classic would finish it off nicely."

Hughes always had a top jockey's pedigree - father Dessie recorded 300 winners in his National Hunt riding career, including the 1977 Cheltenham Gold Cup on Davy Lad and 1979 Champion Hurdle on Monksfield.

It was just his son's conformation that was all wrong - at 5ft 9ins, he's built for his father's game.

He has indeed registered 30-plus winners over hurdles, including the 1997 Irish Champion Hurdle on Cockney Lad. But his big break came when cold-calling Hannon for a job in 1994.

Along with Mick Channon, the East Everleigh handler nurtured a talent he'd already recognised. Respect for Hughes grew - last season Geoff Wragg handed him his first Derby ride on St Expedit and, riding as Hannon's main man, he later broke the 100-winner barrier for the first time. "I'm grateful to Richard and also Mick, but my Dad helped me most. He never doubted my ability, even when I did. I still turn to him for advice," said Hughes.

Self-assured without arrogance, this relaxed and humorous professional is a precious addition to the sport. He also has no fear, but, in case of injury, a clause in his contract prevents him both from swapping codes to pursue his dream of riding a winner over fences and also from skiing.

He has a reputation in the saddle as a late, late man. It was executed to perfection on Harmonic Way at Royal Ascot last year when, last of the 29 runners two furlongs out in the Wokingham, he weaved through to win by a comfortable length.

It can also go wrong - his patience was never rewarded with a gap on Hannon's cruising Reel Buddy only last Saturday. But, as an affable post-race interview with Channel 4 showed, Hughes treats both sides of luck the same.

"I aim to keep a horse on the bridle as long as I can. Anyone who runs knows you keep going longer if you go your own pace. If you get tired early, it's only going to get worse. It's the same concept with horses. If it goes wrong, get to the weighing room as fast as you can," joked Hughes.

"But after riding in India, as I do now in the winter, I can take what-ever's thrown at me. They'd hurl abuse if you were last on the 10-1 outsider in a three-horse race. They enjoy it, particularly if you get revved up. I just smile back."

But Hughes is just as adept at winning from the front - as his success on Persian Punch in last October's Jockey Club Stakes proved.

He'll employ similar tactics both on Perfect Sunday and potentially on Mot Juste, his mount in the Oaks, the fillies' equivalent of the Derby, this Friday.

He doesn't hold back in naming the best colt out of the four that Lambourn-based Hills will field in the Derby. "I'm getting more confident about him by the day, considering all the other horses around me - not just at Mr Hills' yard - and the way he has worked recently, I've been trying to fault him but I can't on any score."

The same goes for his rider.