3/6/13 - Champion Flat jockey, Richard Hughes, has revealed that he expects to be joining in the fun at the forthcoming Cheltenham Festival and hopes to ride the Mick Channon-trained Sgt Reckless in the Weatherbys Champion Bumper, writes Elliot Slater.

Hughes has been enjoying a well-earned rest since his heroics last year when he lifted the champion jockey title for the first time in his distinguished career. 

Although he had a brief working holiday out in India during the winter (where he took a few rides), the Irishman has generally been taking it easy since November but intends to return to the saddle on the all-weather tracks prior to stepping up to take his chance in the showcase Cheltenham contest on March 13.

The son of top jockey turned trainer, Dessie Hughes - forever associated with great champion hurdler of the 1970’s, Monksfield - Richard rode over jumps in his early career and won the 1997 Irish Champion Hurdle on board Cockney Lad as well as finishing runner-up in the 1998 Supreme Novices Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival on His Song.

Although he has not formally received his jumps license, Hughes expects to be cleared to ride Sgt Reckless and his booking for the unbeaten Channon horse has had his odds cut from 14/1 to 12/1 with most firms as a result. 

The six-year-old won on his only outing last campaign when he hacked up at Worcester in May by 8 lengths from Witchesintune, and, on his only outing this term, gave weight and a beating to his rivals in a bumper at Linfield in January, staying-on strongly inside the final furlong to beat Generous Ransom by a length-and-a-half.

For both Hughes, and former England centre-forward, Channon, Sgt Reckless’ Cheltenham appearance promises to provide a tremendous day out, and a worthy use of a Betfair free Cheltenham bet.