Hanagan 2 ahead Richard Hughes gave the Hughie Morrison-trained Queen Of Cash a masterly ride to land the 40% Better Off On Betfair SP Nursery at Kempton. Hughes got the Ad Valorem filly swiftly over from his draw in stall three, and was immediately in the slipstream of Hanagan on Misscomplacent. Kicking on soon after turning for home, Queen Of Cash (7-2) swept to the front and answered every call, having enough in the tank to hold the fast-finishing Homeboy by a length and three-quarters. Hughes had endured a trying time on Wednesday when adverse weather conditions meant his helicopter from Nottingham had to land in Leicester, meaning he failed to make the evening meeting here. Reflecting on that after Queen Of Cash, Hughes said: "That has made it worthwhile. The trip here was grand, I had to go back up (in the helicopter) to get my confidence back and I tell you what I was glad to get down yesterday." Looking ahead to his remaining rides, he went on: "They are paper favourites, but that doesn't mean that they will win. "It wasn't my usual finesse, and I'd say you could squeeze seven out of the filly if she was ridden patiently." Morrison, recording a double, said: "Hughesie's agent rang me and asked what sort of chance we had, and I said we'd got a chance. I saw him yesterday and he said I have turned five down for Hughesie to ride yours. "I said 'oh God, the pressure is on' - but this is good for racing. "I used to use Richard a lot before he got the Khalid Abdullah job and he has always been a beautiful horseman with a great sense of timing." If the ride on Queen Of Cash was good, Hughes surpassed it with his effort on 13-8 favourite Dingaan in the following Mix Business With Pleasure Claiming Stakes for Andrew Balding. Anchoring his mount, who had not run over this six-furlong trip for two years, at the rear, Hughes looked to have it all to do two out but Dingaan picked up in terrific style inside the final furlong to win going away in the end from Hanagan on Vhujon. Paul Hanagan now stands on 187 wins with Hughes on 186. When someone asked Hughes if he could draw level by the end of the night, he replied: "I don't like to speak too soon." Balding said: "The horse is a bit of an old thief, but this was his easiest opportunity for a while and Hughesie gave him a brilliant good ride, he was excellent and sat there very cool. "I've not had that long an association with Richard, but I know the Hughes's and the Hannons and they are good friends. "It is nice to help him out, but to be honest both would be very worthy winners and I hope it is a tie." Paul Hanagan went back two in front when landing the last, the Kia Sportage Handicap on Iron Condor.
