'It's David and Goliath' - McCain says Skelton's firepower too much for Hughes

Brian Hughes' biggest supporter Donald McCain described the jockeys' championship as a "David and Goliath" situation, with the trainer already beginning to accept defeat despite Harry Skelton's lead being reduced at Cheltenham on Thursday.

McCain was speaking after Hughes partnered Bannixtown Glory to a stylish win in the 2m4f Listed mares' handicap hurdle, raising his tally to 139 with Skelton unchanged on the day on 141 winners. Paddy Power make Skelton 1-4 (from 1-5) for a first title.

The Cheshire-based trainer, however, is not predicting his jockey to retain the title with his main rival continuing to get top rides for the most powerful stables.

Skelton rides primarily for brother Dan while old boss, and this season's leading trainer, Paul Nicholls is one of a number of high-profile names to be supporting the favourite's championship bid.

"We've nearly accepted it [defeat] and he [Hughes] has been very gracious about the whole thing. All we're trying to do is our job properly, that's all," McCain said.

Donald McCain: trainer of Bannixtown GloryCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

"We're not running horses for the sake of it. Brian's riding really well and we're just doing all we can do. I think when they're reeling Paul Nicholls into the situation it makes it like David and Goliath. We're just trying to keep training winners, that's all we can do."

McCain is enjoying the title tussle – comparing it to Richard Dunwoody and Adrian Maguire's memorable rivalry in the 1993-94 campaign – and added: "It's all very civilised, we get on with Dan and Harry and it's nice to be involved in it.

"Are they pulling in favours? Yeah, absolutely. I don't blame them for doing it. Harry wants to be champion jockey and good luck to him."

Changing code

Her Indoors is set to revert to the Flat this summer after completing a fine hurdling campaign with success at Grade 3 level in the fillies' juvenile handicap hurdle.

She stayed on powerfully to pass all runners from the turn to defeat Irish challenger Scholastic under Adrian Heskin.

Her Indoors: impressive Grade 3 winnerCredit: Getty Images

Winning trainer Alan King said: "I was delighted, it was a good race to target. We thought the smaller field would help her, she got a bit intimidated in the large field in the Boodles. She came out of it in good form and the one thing she does do is stay very well so she was always going to power up the hill.

"I'd say she'll go back on the Flat for a few runs – she won't run over hurdles for a bit."

French fancy

Christian Williams will take 3m2f handicap chase winner Win My Wings to France for her final race of her campaign, with a €45,000 event being targeted at Compiegne on May 17. Stablemate Kitty's Light could join her in heading abroad.

Williams said: "That was lovely. She'd been threatening to do that, we thought she was a nice horse a few years ago. Hopefully she can move on from this. There's a nice race in France called the Prix Pansa at Compiegne, that'll be nice as a last run."

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