Chris Hughes Q&A: the Love Island star on his fears, heroes and a Festival dream

What advice would you give your ten-year-old self?
Remain patient in life, everything happens for a reason. It may take a little time, but things will work themselves out. I didn’t have a clue what I wanted to do when I was younger and I’m sure that’s the same for most people.

What got you into horseracing?
I grew up in the Cotswolds and went to nursery, primary and secondary school with Sam Twiston-Davies, and was also friends with Matt Houldsworth, who is now a bloodstock agent. The three of us rode together and we all wanted to be jockeys. Then when I was eight years old I got my first pony, Nutmeg, and it went from there.

Flat or jumps – which do you prefer?
Jumps.

Would you rather be a trainer or a jockey?
Jockey – Sam Twiston-Davies and I agreed he was going to be the trainer and I was going to be his jockey. That hasn’t quite worked out as we planned!

What do you think racing does best?
Racing does the big showcase events really well – the Grand National captures such an amazing TV audience – but it also does family days at smaller racecourses well too which is so important to get younger people interested and engaged, especially where under 18s get in free.

Chris Hughes reveals how he was going to be a jockey for Sam Twiston-Davies!

Other than better prize-money, what is the one thing you would change about racing?
For the day to day racing a flat-rate jockeys’ riding fee is fair enough, but surely for the very biggest races where the TV audience is so huge and racing makes so much revenue, the jockeys riding in those races should get a much bigger riding fee for their involvement. That's especially true in the Grand National where there are so many runners and the risks are greater than an average jump race, and the value to the sport is so immense – the jockeys should get a much bigger riding fee in my opinion.

What is your earliest racing memory?
I can remember going to the races with my dad when he owned a horse called Tom’s Prize. I have great memories of days out at tracks like Stratford and Chepstow, as well as Newbury when he ran in the Hennessy.

Which film could you watch again and again?
Dumb and Dumber.

What's the worst job you've ever done?
I haven’t done any bad jobs. I did a bit of gardening with my cousin for a while and we were going to set up a gardening business called Worms with the slogan "Everyone wants Worms in their garden". It never got off the ground.

What’s your biggest ambition in racing?
My ambition is to ride in the Foxhunter Chase at Cheltenham, and I still think that I could but I have so many other commitments it’s not really feasible right now. I’m only 26 so hopefully I’ll do it one day.

Chris hopes to one day ride in the Foxhunters' Chase at Cheltenham

And outside of racing?
I want to continue to develop my presenting skills, as I really enjoy television presenting and I want to do a lot more of it as my career progresses. I also want to get married. That’s something I’m looking forward to doing one day.

When are you happiest?
When I’m travelling around, exploring new places, with my other half not having a clue where we’re going. Being lost in a foreign country with my girlfriend makes me feel free and is when I’m at my happiest.

If you could meet one person, past or present, who would it be?
I’d like to meet Patrick Swayze, as Point Break was one of my all-time favourite films. From the present I’d like to meet Roger Federer, who is a hero of mine and a sporting legend – I’d just like to shake his hand.

How do you relax when you're not working?
I go on little adventures, short breaks to foreign places where we can explore. I don’t get loads of time off, so I have to make the most of my few days off here and there to jump on a plane and go somewhere with my girlfriend.

Who has been the greatest influence on your career?
Growing up my mum and dad taught me the value of working hard and being ambitious, which has stood me in good stead, and they continue to provide me with such great support.

What is the strangest/funniest thing you have seen on a racecourse?
Seeing Nigel Twiston-Davies down at the start running around waving that lunge whip to try to get Mad Moose to start his races. That made me laugh every time.

Chris says his mum and dad have had the greatest influence on his career

Who in racing do you admire most?
I have huge respect for both AP McCoy and Ruby Walsh for being the best jump jockeys ever and around in the same era, a bit like the Nadal and Federer of the racing world. And I have huge admiration for Jonjo O’Neill, as I’ve been lucky enough to see first-hand the work he’s put in and what it took for him to become such a successful Gold Cup and Grand National-winning trainer, having been a Gold Cup-winning jockey too.

What is your biggest fear?
It’s got to be spiders and snakes. I’m terrified of them.

Social media – friend or foe?
I’d say it’s a bit of both. Overall social media would be more my friend but it can be an awful place too.

Who would be your four ideal dinner party guests?
My girlfriend Jesy Nelson [from Little Mix], Richard Gere, Julia Roberts and Roger Federer.

What was your highlight of your time in Love Island?
Meeting Kem [Cetinay] was the highlight. I feel very lucky to have met such a great friend on a TV show.

What has been your highlight of working with ITV Racing?
Being part of the ITV team covering the Grand National was a very special experience and a real honour, and more generally I’ve been incredibly flattered by all the great feedback from people saying that I’m helping racing appeal to a younger audience, because that’s something I’m really passionate about.

Give us one horse to follow for the rest of the season.
Through my role as Coral ambassador I’m lucky enough to ride Annie Mc in her work at Jonjo’s and she’s my favourite racehorse in training, and is seriously talented. She’s definitely a horse to follow when she goes chasing this winter.

For the freshest betting advice, based on latest going and market conditions, don't miss the Live Tipster every afternoon. Just click Raceday Live at racingpost.com or the mobile app