Paul Hanagan: ‘I could not wish for a better horse to tackle racing superstar Frankel’

The colt saw off his opposition with a blistering burst of speed in the QIPCO 2000 Guineas and few people believe he can be beaten tomorrow.

But I am going to give it a go. And I could not wish for a better horse to take him on with than Wootton Bassett.

My horse did his best in the French 2000 Guineas, but he had a disturbed preparation and he got the worst possible draw, so I had to make more use of him in the early stages of the race than I would have wanted.

That was Wootton Bassett’s only reverse in six races, a sequence that included victory in York Racecourse’s DBS Premier Yearling Stakes last summer.

Tactics in the Group One St James’s Palace Stakes could be fascinating.

Wootton Bassett likes to lead, but if Frankel storms away in the way that he did in the 2000 Guineas I’ll probably track him and take it from there.

The races at the royal meeting are hugely competitive.

As jockeys, we always say, if you have one winner at Royal Ascot then you’ve had a good Royal Ascot.

I’ve been fortunate enough to have enjoyed successes, starting with Cosmic Sun – a horse familiar to York racegoers – two years ago in the King George V Stakes.

That was a really memorable day, especially as my lad was such a long shot – at 66-1!

As that race in 2009 illustrated, so tough is the racing at the royal meeting that it’s very difficult to predict where a win can come from, so I will highlight the horses that I’m most looking forward to riding this week – not only those that could have winning chances but those that could run into a place.

Gabrial is unbeaten in two starts for me, and goes for the Coventry Stakes tomorrow.

The step up to six furlongs is a massive plus in my view, and at prices of up to 20-1 he could pay dividends.

Rose Blossom is a difficult filly these days. She’s in the King’s Stand Stakes tomorrow. Were she back to her best form, she’d have a chance, but she needs to behave herself.

I won on Dorcas Lane for Newmarket trainer Lucy Wadham in the Pretty Polly Stakes at Headquarters last month. She goes for the Ribblesdale Stakes on Thursday, and certainly has a chance.

We have a nice team of juvenile fillies heading down to Berkshire from Richard Fahey’s yard.

The one that I would pick out is Lily’s Angel. Indeed, she could be my best chance of a winner during the week. She goes for the Albany Stakes over six furlongs on Friday.

I won on her at the Chester May Festival but, like Rose Blossom, she can play up a bit. I need to get her out of the stalls quickly. If we can do that, then she will run a big race.

Barefoot Lady is in the Coronation Stakes on Friday. She’s a lovely filly – fifth in the QIPCO 1000 Guineas and second in the Tattersalls Musidora Stakes at York last month – and she deserves to take her chance.

It’ll be a tough race, but the stiff mile at Ascot should suit.

I hope I can give Glen’s Diamond a really good ride in the King Edward VII Stakes on Friday – because he’s been supplemented for the race at a cost of £14,500.

He’s won four races in a row, most recently the Dee Stakes at Chester.

If I were to highlight my best three – and again they are the horses I’m most looking forward to riding – they would be Wootton Bassett tomorrow and Lily’s Angel and Glen’s Diamond on Friday.

As for opposing horses that I rate the best.

Well, you can’t get away from Frankel, of course. Canford Cliffs is another that I’ll watch with interest. He’s in the Queen Anne Stakes tomorrow, and clashes again with Goldikova. That’ll be some race.

Enjoy Royal Ascot.

The racing is fantastic, and I will be thrilled to return with a winner and some great runs by the end of the week.

Paul Hanagan should be back at York Racecourse next on Friday, July 8 and Saturday, July 9 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 SkyBet 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.