RICHARD HUGHES has put loyalty first in his decision to partner Census for his boss and father-in-law Richard Hannon in Saturday’s Ladbrokes St Leger at Doncaster.

Hughes deputised for the injured Ryan Moore when he rode the hot St Leger favourite Sea Moon to his wide margin victory in the Great Voltigeur Stakes at York last month.

Sir Michael Stoute’s colt is an 11-8 market leader with most bookmakers for the final Classic of the season.

And with Moore still injured Hughes could easily have continued the partnership on Town Moor this Saturday.

But the jockey would do nothing to jeopardise his relationship with Hannon and has opted to rides Census, whom he also partnered to victory in the Geoffrey Freer Stakes at Newbury.

Hughes said: “I’ve ridden Classic winners in India, but they don’t count, I suppose.

“I was on the favourite but I have commitments and I have to ride for Richard.

“I would still love to win the Derby – that’s the main ambition – although I barely get a ride in the race.

“Richard gives me 120 winners a year, I am first jockey there and it’s Richard’s first live chance in the St Leger since he’s been training.

“I think if I jumped ship (to Sea Moon) now I would be shot.”

He added: “We’re happy with Census, but how good he is we don’t know – there is a suspicion that Times Up was a bit close to him at Newbury (when third).

“But he could not have done it any easier. They all have to beat Sea Moon. He’s the one without a doubt. But if I rode Sea Moon, and then Census beat me I would kill myself!

“So at least I think I will be in a better frame of mind riding Census.”

The going remains good to firm as Doncaster’s four-day begins this afternoon.

But clerk of the course Jon Pulling said: “The ground is still good to firm, although it would be towards the easy side of that. The forecast for Wednesday and Thursday is for some light showers around, nothing too significant.”

TODAY’S NAP: Shesastar (4.50pm Doncaster).