Hughes was suspended in February having been found guilty of "not following the trainer's specific instructions and thereby not allowing his mount Jacqueline Smile to run on its merits".

He turned to the BHA after failing to have the ban overturned in India, but was unsuccessful in his application not to reciprocate the suspension.

The Royal Western Indian Turf Club stewards punished Hughes for his ride at Mahalaxmi racecourse on February 16, having deemed the jockey had not ridden to the instructions of trainer H J Antia.

Hughes's arguments, detailed in a BHA statement, concerned his denial of legal representation in the stewards' inquiry in India, the absence of Antia from an appeal hearing, the emphasis of the stewards on the trainer's riding instructions and the disproportionate penalty handed out.

A similar breach in this country attracts a ban of seven to 21 days, with an entry point of 10 days.

The ban rules him out of action until April 30, hitting his chances of claiming a first jockeys' title.

His absence is also a big blow to his boss, trainer Richard Hannon, who will be without his main rider for all of the early Classic trials.

Speaking on Hannon's website, www.richardhannonracing.tv, Hughes said: "I feel that I have been unfairly treated and that is why I am appealing."

Hannon has backed the move adding: "The punishment does not fit the alleged crime."