Paul Hanagan: Hoping to strike rich seam with High Office in ‘Pitmen’s Derby’

I was delighted to get back on board the horses earlier this week, and I’ve enjoyed a few winners since. That has got my challenge to retain the jockeys’ championship going again with Ryan Moore on my tail.

I’m hoping for much better returns from two big meetings in the North over the next three weekends.

It’s the ‘Pitmen’s Derby’ at Newcastle tomorrow, Haydock Park’s Lancashire Oaks meeting at the end of next week and then the 52nd John Smith’s Cup on Knavesmire the weekend after that. Those are three great occasions for punters at the major racecourses up here in the North. Let’s hope for some good racing.

It’s early days to be thinking too far ahead to York, but it is one of the highlights of the year and trainer Richard Fahey will certainly be sending out a strong team of runners as always.

In the meantime, I’m off to Gosforth Park this evening.

In my view, the pick of my rides tonight is Cracking Lass in the 6.50pm which is the listed Hoppings Stakes.

I think my filly has a good chance because it looks as if the going will end up being soft, and that will suit her. My filly was last seen out in York’s Listed Stowe Family Law LLP Grand Cup.

Another horse that last ran at York and who wouldn’t be without a squeak would be Jamesway in the race 35 minutes later. He did fine in the Investec Dash earlier this month at Epsom Downs and has been in good form at home.

I’d also be hopeful of a decent run from Apache Ridge, stabled with Keith Dalgleish who is new to the ranks of trainers.

He’s won or been placed on each of his last three runs, and could go well again tonight in the 8.25pm race.

The major highlight of the three days at Newcastle comes tomorrow with the climax of the meeting – the John Smith’s Northumberland Plate.

I have great memories of the ‘Pitmen’s Derby’ because it was the race seven years ago that gave me my first major winner – Mirjan at 33-1!

My mount this year is High Office and he’ll love the expected soft ground. I’m delighted that he’s got into the race because I’d be hopeful.

Of course, you always need luck in a race as competitive and long as the Northumberland Plate. However, of my book of rides tomorrow, I’d reckon he’d be my best chance of a winner.

In the opening Chipchase Stakes at 2pm, I ride Eton Rifles for Durham trainer Howard Johnson. The horse has probably been unlucky to find one or two better than him in his last few runs, including one at York, and it might be the case again tomorrow as it looks a difficult race.

Bawaari already has a couple of wins on the turf this season to his name – one of those victories coming at Gosforth Park last month. He has been running well, and won’t mind the softer ground when he runs in the 3.40pm race.

Paul Hanagan should be back at York Racecourse next on Friday 8 and Saturday 9 July when the 52nd John Smith’s Cup is the centrepiece. The triumph of Vintage Premium in 2002 was a highlight in the year that Paul became champion apprentice jockey and he will be keen to win the £150,000 feature of Saturday’s card. Later in July, evening racing and live music come to Knavesmire; with Blondie performing on Friday evening 22 July and Scouting for Girls on stage on Saturday 23 July after the Group 2 Sky Bet York Stakes. Advanced booked prices for July start at £12 and more details can be found on www.yorkracecourse.co.uk or by calling 01904 620911.