Wally’s Wagers: Hughes set to call it a day after Goodwood

The three-time champion jockey will finally call time on an incredible career to take up a training license in the autumn.

After 27 years in the saddle he’s decided that staying on to the end of the season as a jockey, could affect the start of his training career.

Having announced his decision to retire in March, his relationship with long-time trainer Richard Hannon Jnr has been distant.

Hughes said: “I honestly feel my first full year training will be the most important in my training career.

“If you are a trainer or a jockey you need to put in 100% effort to do the job well.

“If I try do both, I won’t do either justice.”

With endless amounts of group winners I remember some great victories on Canford Cliffs and Paco Boy.

He judged the pace of different types of races better than anybody, normally judging it to perfection.

Yorkshire trainer Richard Fahey was in cracking form last Saturday, Lathom led home stablemate Mr Lupton in a one­-two for the Malton-based trainer.

The Wetherby’s Super Sprint Cup is normally a race targeted by Fahey’s team, this year was no different.

Equipped with eight runners, 28/­1 shot Lathom skipped clear and looked impressive from the start.

Lots to look forward to this weekend, with quality racing on offer up and down the country.

The King George VI and Queen Elizabeth stakes at Ascot will see the unbeaten Golden Horn take on a very good field.

Trainer John Gosden has a strong hand to maintain his impressive record in the race.

Taghrooda took the prize last year and to compliment his chances this year Eagle Top, Romsdal and the impressive Golden Horn will again take all the beating.

The manner in which Golden Horn has destroyed his rivals this season has been nothing short of spectacular and with his most favourable ground expected (good to firm) he looks far too classy.

From a betting perspective the Gigaset International Stakes, Ascot at 3.­15 looks a better race.

Heaven’s Guest and Burnt Sugar are too big at the prices, 25s and 33s offer value.

With luck needed, I’m confident these two can run better than odds suggest.

York Racecourse has a great two-day event on this weekend, a night meeting Friday will kick things off, with an better card Saturday.

Course form at York is key to consider when making your selections.

The racecourse is different and unique to other racecourses, and it can be very testing.

David O’Meara has a great record at York, his horses go there and always run well.

Algar Lad, a previous winner there two starts ago, looks the type to improve again in the Sky Bet Dash.

I am confident he will be shorter than the 10­/1 currently on offer.

If the rain softens the ground, my nap of the day will be Clever Cookie in the 2.­55 Sky Bet York Stakes.

He impressed me last time at York, travels like a dream and
doesn’t let a horse past without a fight.

Trainer Peter Niven has a good record in this race. and 5/­1 is very good value.

Wally’s Wagers

York 2.­55 Clever Cookie 5­/1

York 3.30 Algar Lad 10­/1

Ascot 3.­15 Heaven’s Guest 25/­1

Ascot 3­.15 Burnt Sugar 33/­1