Jockey Paul Hanagan was the star of the final flat meeting of
the season at Ayr on Saturday riding a double that almost certainly
ensured he will retain the Jockeys Championship this year.
And the likeable Hanagan also secured the 2011 Isle of Skye
Award for the leading flat jockey of the season at Ayr with
Saturday's double bring his season's total at the track to 14 wins
from 61 mounts - a superb 23% strike rate.
Paul landed the opening John Smith's Nursery Handicap on board
Doc's Legacy (15/8 fav) for trainer Richard Fahey. The horse
appeared to be struggling in the heavy going turning for home but
stayed on well to win by two and a half lengths from Joshua The
First.
Winner number two for the champion jockey came courtesy of the
13 year old Sphinx (5/4 fav) who cruised home in the John
Smith's Extra Smooth Handicap from Chookie Hamilton.
The feature race of the afternoon, the John Smith's No Nonsense
Handicap was won by European Dream (11/1) for jockey Robert L
Butler and trainer Richard Guest.
Other highlights included a win for Irish raider Mama Sox (11/4
fav) for trainer John McConnell and young jockey Charles Bishop in
the Miss Ellie Maiden Stakes and a front running success for River
Dragon (2/1) in the finale, the Sandy Abbott 60th
Birthday Handicap.
In addition to Paul Hanagan landing the Ayr jockey title for
2011, Ken McGarrity, an owner with Linda Perratt, won the Owners
prize and Richard Fahey won the trainer's title.
Ayr's next meeting is St. Andrew's Raceday on November 29 - the
first jumps meeting of the 2011-2012 season at Ayr.