Paul Hanagan: Extraterrestrial may lead to me being able to phone home to report another winner

There has been intense interest in the horse since his victory in the totesport Dante Stakes at Knavesmire last month. I thought that was an excellent performance and he became a worthy favourite for Epsom.

It was unlucky that he picked up a slight injury earlier this week. Fingers crossed that the colt is fine and that my weighing room colleague Ryan Moore can give Her Majesty her first victory in the Derby tomorrow.

I am at Epsom Downs this afternoon. A winner would be just fantastic, and I reckon my best chance comes with Extraterrestrial in the Investec Mile at 2.10pm.

He’s a lovely horse and he comes into the race off a victory at Thirsk. York racegoers have seen him a few times over the years and will know that he needs to be held up to be seen at his best.

After the razzmatazz of Epsom, I’m off to Musselburgh Racecourse tomorrow in pursuit of winners.

Four of the races are on Channel 4, and a capacity crowd is expected at the East Scotland track.

My best chance of a winner should be Doctor Parkes in the Scottish Sprint Cup at 3.40pm.

The five-year-old has been in super form this season. Victories at Redcar and Chester were followed up with a good second place in a big field on Knavesmire in the sportingbet.com Sprint last month. He goes to Musselburgh with a very good chance.

Another ride I would highlight tomorrow is Alejandro in the Edinburgh Castle Conditions Stakes at 2.35pm.

The two-year-old won very impressively at the Scottish track earlier in the season and I expected him to go well at York last time. However, I think he can be forgiven his fifth place in the Bet At bluesq.com EBF Novice Stakes as he was baulked twice during the race.

Bridle Belle faces a stiff task in the Edinburgh Cup at 3.10pm.

She ran a good race at Newmarket on her last racecourse appearance, and the step up from a mile and a quarter to a mile and a half will suit her. But this is a good race, and she may find one or two are simply better horses.

I finish Saturday with a few rides at Newcastle Racecourse in the evening, but my best chances are at Musselburgh earlier in the day.

I will almost certainly be back at York Racecourse for the two-day meeting at the end of next week.

I’ve had just two winners there this season from 17 rides, and I’ll be aiming to improve on that strike rate.

I’ve been the leading jockey on Knavesmire for the last two years, and I’d love to complete a hat-trick.

The next racing at York Racecourse is the June meeting next Friday and Saturday, June 10 and 11. Since 1971 this event has raised over £5m for good causes. Just by attending the day, racegoers will be helping to raise money for cancer-related charities including Macmillan Cancer Support.

The feature race of Saturday is the most valuable sprint handicap for three-year-old horses in Europe.

The first races are at 2.10pm and 2.05pm respectively.

Admission ranges from £5 to £24 on Friday and £7 to £34 on Saturday, with accompanied under-16s entering free of charge. Further details can be found at www.yorkracecourse.co.uk.