Hughes back with a winner Richard Hughes struck with his first ride back since his self-imposed exile from riding in division one of the Download The Blue Square Bet App EBF Maiden Stakes at Newbury. Hughes had pledged last Thursday not to ride until the new whip rules changed but with amendments announced on Friday morning, he was free to partner Richard Hannon's Usain Colt (3-1) to a smooth success. "I'm pleased to be back riding, and I can ride Strong Suit in the Breeders' Cup now," said Hughes. "My beef was the rules was about five strikes after the furlong pole so I'm happy about that, but I don't think much else has changed. "It's great the BHA have held their hands up and seen it wasn't working. "It's a good move forward but the penalties are very high, as if you make a clerical misjudgement with eight strikes instead of seven, you get a five-day ban, and then a 10-day ban." Usain Colt is owned by the well-heeled Betfair/Birdcage Racing Club and it is rumoured that Prince Harry is one of the members. "I can't disclose that," said syndicate manager Jake Warren. Division two went in even more impressive style to the Roger Charlton-trained Priceless Jewel (8-1). A daughter of My Branch and half-sister to Charlton's Haydock Sprint Cup winner Tante Rose, she was very disappointing on her debut at Windsor a few days ago but dominated this race under James Doyle to cruise two and a quarter lengths clear of promising newcomer Tawaasul. "That was very nice," said Charlton. "The biggest surprise was how badly she ran first time, but sometimes the penny doesn't drop straight away. "She's well-bred and as she's by Selkirk, she should improve." Luke Morris, acknowledged as one of the weighing room's most diligent hard-workers, is picking up a useful association with top Yorkshire trainer Mark Johnston. He helped Assizes (15-2), a strapping grey son of Teofilo, to make a winning debut by two and a quarter lengths in division one of the Bet At bluesq.com Maiden Stakes. "I picked up a ride a couple of weeks ago at Bath, which I won on, and it went from there," said Morris. "It's an honour to get an opportunity with such a big stable." Charlton and Doyle were back among the winners in division two of the maiden. The Beckhampton trainer took division one a year ago with Al Kazeem, who has shown plenty of class at three, while the second leg's winner was Carlton House, a big fancy for this year's Derby. Charlton hadn't expected a huge amount from 25-1 shot Waterclock on his debut but he held off the late charge from Hughes and Hefner in promising fashion. "It's a pleasant surprise but he did that really well," said Charlton. "There looked like there were a few nice horses in there but he kept going."
