Hughes is flat out to topple Frankie

Hughes, 31, started his career as a jump jockey in Ireland and rode Cockney Lad to victory in the 1997 Irish Champion Hurdle. However, he also has a lot to look forward to on the turf in the summer.

Lester added: "On the Flat he has the added incentive of The Queen's Forward Move, who is trained by his father-in-law Richard Hannon.

"This is a high-class candidate for a stable which has had a lot of Guineas runners but has been short of Derby challengers."

Hughes can't wait to get back on the horse. He said: "Forward Move is a machine and a proper Derby hope."

There is a saying in racing that "long, tall, thin boys break in half ". There may have been an element of truth in that maxim, but when applied to Hughes it is a non-starter.

In his career he has been stretched to the limit but has never snapped. Now, after a disappointing campaign in 2004 when he rode only 56 winners, he is hoping to launch a bid for Frankie Dettori's Flat jockeys' title.

Two seasons ago he was chasing Kieren Fallon when, after being backed by many good judges to pick up the title, a broken arm put paid to his chances. Even though he missed seven weeks, he still finished only 16 winners behind Fallon and earned £2million in prize money.

Despite being bred to be a National Hunt jockey - Hughes is the son of the brilliant jump rider Dessie Hughes - he is hoping to become the Ian Botham of the Turf, an allrounder in an all-year-round global pursuit of winners.

Hughes Jnr was never under any pressure to emulate his father, but naturally chose to become a jockey, leaving school in Kildare at 15 despite excellent exam results.

By the time he had reached his 16th birthday he had ridden nine Flat winners and next season went on to be runner-up to Willie Supple in the Irish apprentice table with 38 successes.

At 19, he had his first taste of England - including riding at Royal Ascot - and enjoyed it immensely.

But Hughes knew he had to move on to better his career. He added: "Back home I was getting my 30 to 40 winners a season but I was not happy. There was not enough racing and the good jobs were taken.

"Then I met Richard Hannon at the Irish Derby and went to show him my CV. I was over here the following week riding out five days for Richard and two for Mick Channon."

Now the Window Cleaner has established himself in England, he can continue to climb racing's ladder of success in 2005.