Hughes books a Star ride in the National

It comes after the North Yorkshire jockey rode Hawk High to victory at the Cheltenham Festival for Tim Easterby.

Like Hawk High, Vintage Star is owned by Trevor Hemmings, whose colours have been previously carried to victory at Aintree by Hedgehunter and Ballabriggs.

Hughes, who is enjoying a career-best year, will school Vintage Star over Aintree-style fences at Malton next week.

The booking comes after The Yorkshire Post revealed last week that Smith’s stable jockey Ryan Mania, victorious last year on the now retired Auroras Encore, would ride Mr Moonshine, who runs in the same colours as the 2013 hero.

Hughes has yet to complete the National course in three attempts but has won the Topham Trophy on Always Waining over the big fences, and also a Grand Sefton on Frankie Figg. “I am delighted to have picked up a ride like Vintage Star,” he says.