Champion Hanagan returns refreshed

The 30-year-old jockey – who has not ridden competitively since early November when he won the Flat title at Doncaster – takes the reins on Sharp Shoes at Wolverhampton for North Yorkshire trainer Ann Duffield.

He will then partner four more horses, including Coolminx for his boss Richard Fahey.

Hanagan finished the 2010 campaign with 191 winners, two ahead of nearest pursuer Richard Hughes, following a protracted struggle that was only settled on the final day of an epic season.

And, while all-weather winter racing is excluded from the jockeys’ title race, Hanagan wants to hone his fitness before the turf season begins at Catterick on March 30.

“I’ve wintered really well,” said Hanagan. “I wouldn’t normally take such a long time off but I really needed it after everything that happened.”

As well as spending time with his young family, Hanagan – only the third Northern-based rider to be crowned champion – paraded his trophy at Anfield, home of his beloved Liverpool Football Club.

He also had a prime seat behind Jessica Ennis, Sheffield’s world champion heptathlete, at the BBC’s Sports Personality of the year award when AP McCoy, the 15-times National Hunt champion, won the public vote.

“I literally had nothing left last year and it was really important to freshen up for the new season,” added the rider. “It’s been a great break, though, and I’m ready to go again.”

Having landed Group One honours last autumn on Wootton Bassett – the first time that Hanagan and Fahey have won such a race – the pair hope the same horse will break their Classic duck in the 2000 Guineas.

Hanagan also anticipates his higher-profile will lead to greater opportunities in the more prestigious contests now that he is no longer known as Flat racing’s ‘best kept secret’.

Racegoers will inevitably be pre-occupied with Hanagan’s title chances and, understandably, he says it is too early to tell whether Fahey’s two-year-old recruits will be as prolific as last season’s string.

He also knows that a fast start will be essential to a title defence – but nothing is likely to replicate his heroics of 2010.

“I’m really looking forward to getting back, but I don’t want to set any targets at this stage,” added Hanagan. “If the chance comes along I’ll grab it with both hands. There’s no pressure at all.”

If his title defence is to be a successful one, this most level-headed of individuals will require to retain – or even better – his phenomenal strike-rate at the lesser tracks.

These include the 14 winners that Hanagan recorded at Pontefract, the popular West Yorkshire track that released details of its 2011 programme yesterday.

Although Pontefract’s 16-day season – which begins on April 5 – will see slight rises in admission prices, this money is being used to offset the VAT increase and the need to increase prize money.

Despite lower contributions by the Levy Board, the principal race at each meeting will continue to be worth at least £10,000 with no race run at less than £3,550 in prize money.

A quintet of Class Five races will have their value increased as a result of a contribution from Betfair, as part of the betting exchange’s overall contribution to Yorkshire racing.

At the other end of the spectrum, Pontefract’s racing programme once again features five established Listed races which wil culminate with the Silver Tankard Stakes on October 17, the final day of the season.

In a move to boost attendances, the age at which accompanied youngsters are admitted free of charge will rise from 16 to 18 at all meetings.

Another welcome innovation includes the production of a First Time Racegoers’ Guide and a Children’s Guide.

Furthermore, the weighing room is being refurbished at a cost of £35,000.