Paul Hanagan and Richard Fahey team up for Thirsk glory tilt (From Gazette & Herald)

Paul Hanagan and Richard Fahey team up for Thirsk glory tilt

9:39pm Sunday 19th August 2012 in Sport By Tom O'Ryan, Racing journalist

PAUL HANAGAN, sure to be heavily involved in the action during the four days of the Welcome To Yorkshire Ebor Festival later this week, can play a starring role at Thirsk on Monday.

The long-time northern ace, who moved from Malton to Newmarket this season after accepting the plum job of retained rider to Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum, renews acquaintance with his long-time boss, Richard Fahey, at Thirsk.

Malton-based Fahey is in tremendous form at present – he had three winners on Saturday and was also on the mark at Pontefract on Sunday – and he gives Hanagan the leg up on newcomer Anderton in the opening British Stallion Studs Supporting British Racing Maiden Stakes.

It is difficult to be dogmatic about the outcome of this juvenile event, but those which have run have not performed with promise and it may well be that one of the debutants will prevail. That could well be Anderton, a speedily-bred son of Invincible Spirit, who is nicely drawn in stall 11 in the 17-strong field.

Fahey saddles two in the following Thirsk Racecourse Centre Claiming Stakes and, while there may be little to choose between them, Hanagan’s mount Done Dreaming is marginally preferred to stable-mate Autumn Shadow, who will be ridden by Tony Hamilton.

Done Dreaming stepped up on his unplaced debut effort to win nicely at Ayr three weeks ago. Although he has to concede weight all round, he is selected to follow up in this five furlong dash.

Warthill trainer Mel Brittain has booked Hanagan for Defence Council in the Welcome To Yorkshire, Yorkshire Champions Handicap and the hint should be taken.

Although he has an uninspiring win record, Defence Council is a pretty capable sprinter and was beaten by only two lengths into fifth by the useful Singeur at Ripon last time out.

Hanagan has yet another solid-looking winning chance aboard the Peter Chapple-Hyam-trained Authora in the Thirsk Racecourse Pavilion Handicap.

The lightly-raced three-year-old came good at Yarmouth last time and may be able to follow up, again wearing a hood which seemed to have the desired effect on her latest start.

The nap vote is awarded to Fayr Fall in the thirskracecourse.net Handicap. Tim Easterby’s gelding has found a useful level of consistency and only just failed to hold off It’s A Mans World over this course and distance at the beginning of the month, after quickening clear inside the last two furlongs. Easterby, who has a powerful team assembled for York, can also win the Thirsk Races Family Day Friday 31st August Lady Amateur Riders’ Handicap with See Clearly, the mount of the accomplished Jacqueline Coward.

Talent Scout has yet to get his head in front this season, but he has run a couple of decent races and is down to an attractive mark. It would be no surprise to see Tim Walford’s gelding strike in the welcometoherriotcountry.com Handicap.

At Warwick on Tuesday evening, jockey David Bergin can land the opening race with Aubretia for Alan McCabe.

Tanghan makes appeal in the British Stallion Studs Supporting British Racing Maiden Stakes, while Fahey stable-mate Monkey Bar Flies is napped to complete a double.

Monkey Bar Flies looks nicely weighted on his handicap debut and is fancied to capitalise.

Tom O'Ryan's selections

Thirsk (Monday)

2.00 Anderton, 2.30 Done Dreaming, 3.00 Defence Council, 3.30 Authora, 4.00 Talent Scout, 4.30 Fayr Fall (NAP), 5.00 See Clearly.

Today’s other meetings: Stratford, Kempton, Windsor and Wolverhampton.

Warwick (Tuesday)

5.00 Aubretia, 5.30 Desert Strike, 6.00 Al Janadeirya, 6.30 Tanghan, 7.00 Monkey Bar Flies (NAP), 7.30 Cactus Valley, 8.00 Spring Secret.

Tomorrow’s other meetings: Brighton, Perth, Worcester and Yarmouth.