Rugby: Hughes earns Bath plaudits

RICHARD HUGHES earned high praise from former champion jockey Joe Mercer after partnering Direct Deal to an all-the-way win in the Limpley Stoke Maiden Stakes at Bath yesterday.

Hughes sent the Ed Dunlop-trained three-year-old into a clear lead from the start and his rivals were always chasing shadows as he lengthened to a two-and-a-half-length verdict over Cheshire Cat.

Mercer, representing winning over Maktoum Al Maktoum, said: "Richard has given him a great ride as he was very positive out there - and that is just what this horse has been needing.

``We've always thought a lot of him but he has never produced in the afternoon what he has delivered in the gallops in the morning and has been a bit disappointing. However now that he's got his head in front maybe he'll go on from here."

Trainer David Wintle saddled his third and fourth winners on the bounce with Silver Gyre at Bath and Marquante in the opener at Newton Abbot.