Sport

Pipe's Theme Arena gives Richard Hughes his first hurdle success in Britain

RICHARD HUGHES, much better known in Britain for his stylish exploits on the Flat, was jumping for joy at Taunton yesterday afternoon…

Fri Nov 29 1996 - 00:00

RICHARD HUGHES, much better known in Britain for his stylish exploits on the Flat, was jumping for joy at Taunton yesterday afternoon.

For the young jockey partnered his first winner at the winter game in Britain when Martin Pipe's Theme Arena came good in the Maple Juvenile Novices' Selling Hurdle.

"It's a big thrill to win my first hurdles race in Britain but I've ridden seven in Ireland including four last week," reported Hughes.

"I haven't actually had more than half a dozen rides over hurdles in this country but I've always loved jumping as I've been at it since I was 13 at home for my father Dessie."

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Hughes admitted he has to drop his stirrups a few notches over hurdles and added that he hopes to ride over fences this winter "whenever I get a good ride as I won't be sitting on anything dodgy".

"I just want to hopefully stay injury free and I will ride over hurdles until next March when I will go back to the Flat again. However, I will be switching back to the Flat in December to ride one of David Loder's in a Listed race at Wolverhampton," he added.

Pipe was full of praise for Hughes after he had delivered Theme Arena seven lengths clear of Jammy Jenny and said: "He's ridden her very well and actually came down to my yard to pop her over a few hurdles this morning just to make sure.

"Richard won on Golden Arrow for me on the Flat and I'll use him over hurdles this winter when he's available," added the champion trainer.

Norman Williamson re routed from frostbound Carlisle proved an able deputy for the side lined Richard Johnson on Greenback in the Mendip Plywood Novices' Chase.

Philip Hobbs's gelding, who won the Channel 4 Trophy for winning eight hurdle races two seasons ago, opened his account over fences in style romping 11 lengths clear of Jovial Man.

Hobbs doubled up when Hay Dance, partnered by Glenn Tormey, got the better of the Williamson ridden odds on shot Rosencrantz by a couple of lengths in the Oak Novices' Handicap Hurdle.

Duhallow Lodge defied top weight of 11st 10lb, under Barry Fenton, to take the Mendip Plywood Handicap Chase after the pair had a battle royal with Scotoni from the last fence.

David Bridgwater was seen at his powerful best when getting Yet Again up in the closing stages to deny Secret Spring for the Beech Novices' Hurdle.

. Richard Johnson faces a spell on the sidelines after breaking his collar bone in a three horse pile up at Chepstow on Wednesday. The jockey initially thought he had escaped injury after the incident when his mount Oat is Rose fell on the paddock bend in the Independent Insurance Handicap Hurdle.

Johnson was brought back in the ambulance but appeared only shaken. However, he felt increasingly sore on Wednesday night and said: "I decided to see my physio who referred me to the hospital. I had X rays today which revealed the break. Hopefully I will be back a week on Saturday."