THESE are strange days indeed but, after a break of four seasons, a North of Ireland-born jockey is once again National Hunt champion in Britain with Brian Hughes topping the 2019/20 leaderboard on a total of 141 wins following an early end to the campaign.

“It isn’t the way I would have liked to win but being champion is something every jockey dreams of,” said Hughes earlier this week as he endeavoured to fill his time at home in Cleveland following the suspension of racing in Britain since March 18th.