Paul Hanagan scores double at Ayr’s final flat meeting

Nov 4 2011 by Mike WIlson, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

JOCKEY Paul Hanagan was the star of the final flat meeting of the season at Ayr on Saturday, riding a double that almost certainly ensured he will retain the jockeys’ championship this year.

The likeable Hanagan also secured the 2011 Isle of Skye Award for the leading flat jockey of the season at Ayr with Saturday's double bring his season's total at the track to 14 wins from 61 mounts – a superb 23 per cent strike rate.

Paul landed the opening John Smith's Nursery Handicap on board Doc's Legacy (15/8 fav) for trainer Richard Fahey. The horse appeared to be struggling in the heavy going turning for home but stayed on well to win by two and a half lengths from Joshua The First.

Winner number two for the champion jockey came courtesy of the 13-year-old Sphinx (5/4 fav) who cruised home in the John Smith's Extra Smooth Handicap from Chookie Hamilton.

The feature race, the John Smith's No Nonsense Handicap, was won by European Dream (11/1) for jockey Robert L Butler and trainer Richard Guest.

Other highlights of the afternoon included a win for Irish raider Mama Sox (11/4 fav) for trainer John McConnell and young jockey Charles Bishop in the Miss Ellie Maiden Stakes and a front running success for River Dragon (2/1) in the finale, the Sandy Abbott 60th Birthday Handicap.

In addition to Hanagan landing the Ayr jockey title for 2011, Ken McGarrity, an owner with Linda Perratt, won the owners prize and Richard Fahey won the trainer's title.

Ayr's next meeting is St. Andrew's Raceday on November 29, the first jumps meeting of the 2011-2012 season.