Lincoln winner put in shade by Hanagan heroics

Malton-based Hanagan, the most successful Flat jockey on Yorkshire's tracks last year, showed, once again, that he's a man to follow, especially when in tandem with his boss Richard Fahey.

Hanagan's victories yesterday aboard Deadly Encounter (5-1) and Kaldoun Kingdom (6-1) were both trained by the Yorkshire trainer, who supplied three of the flying jockey's winners on Saturday.

The most impressive was Irish Heartbeat who could be a pretty formidable performer judging by his victory in the William Hill Spring Mile.

The well-backed 4-1 favourite sliced through the pack with ease and just repelled Sohcahtoa when tiring close home.

The valuable Newbury Spring Cup could be a target.

"I had lots of pace around me, which took me into the race nicely," beamed the winning rider.

"I think he's a good horse."

The first juvenile heat also went Fahey and Hanagan's way as Chiswick Bey (6-1) finished a head in front of the well-drilled Lady Brookie.

Hanagan, one of the weighing room's most consistent jockeys, picked up a decent spare on Inxile (17-2) who is trained at Thirsk by Dandy Nicholls.

The haul was completed as Red Jade (7-2 joint-favourite) drew away in division one of thehandicap.

Both Hanagan and Fahey, however, had to settle for second best in the feature William Hill Lincoln, where 3-1 favourite Penitent pulled off a big gamble.

The lightly-raced four-year-old had long been targeted for the event by Yorkshire-born trainer William Haggas – successful in the Lincoln twice before – and Johnny Murtagh always had Penitent in the perfect position before pulling clear from the rest of field.

Murtagh reported: "The race worked out brilliantly, I got a lovely lead to a furlong and a half out and he galloped all the way to the line.

"He was well prepared for this. They have done a fabulous job and it's great when a plan comes off.

"He's improving, he's a tough little horse and I think there's another big one in him."

Penitent could return to Town Moor for the Doncaster Mile on April 17.

On a day to remember for Yorkshire backers, Tim Easterby's Rosbay (9-1) won division two of the handicap the John Quinn-trained Leslingtaylor (15-2) foiled yet another Fahey winner as he trumped Royal Straight in the Apprentice Handicap.

Quinn's attentions immediately turned to next month's John Smith's Grand National – and he urged backers not to rule out Character Building, despite the grey's disappointing comeback at Cheltenham when unplaced behind Chief Dan George in the William Hill Trophy.

Quinn felt conditions were unsuitable and hopes Character Building, who missed last year's National with injury, will run a big race.

"He ran all right and if he can get over the Chair and on to the second circuit, he will certainly have a big chance," said the Malton trainer.

Character Building is 25-1 for the April 10 marathon, with the market now headed by the Paul Nicholls-trained 8-1 fancy Big Fella Thanks, the intended ride of Ruby Walsh.

West Witton trainer Ferdy Murphy has his eyes on two of the big end-of-season staying handicap chases for Poker De Sivola and Galant Nuit.

Poker De Sivola is on course for the Coral Scottish Grand National at Ayr on April 17 after his victory in the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham under Katie Walsh.

Galant Nuit put himself in the frame for the bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown the following Saturday thanks to finishing third in the Kim Muir, also at the Festival.