Horse Racing: Hanging on for Hanagan

Published on Sunday 26 June 2011 15:26

Champion jockey Paul Hanagan has a tremendous record at Musselburgh and should prove the punters pal again there tonight.

He booted home no less than 25 winners from 64 rides on the East Lothian track last summer for a strike rate of 39 per cent and so far this term is hitting the target here at an even better rate.

His 21 mounts here this term have yielded nine winners and he can add a double this evening, beginning with Grandad Bill in the Racing UK Handicap (8.25pm) Two of the gelding's seven career wins have been gained on this track - one on the level and one over hurdles and although he has not scored since winning over timber here early last year, he warrants support this time.

It's no surprise that trainer Jim Goldie has also booked Hanagan for the mount on Glenluji in the Morrison Bowmore Distillers Trophy Handicap (8.55pm) for the gelding scored three times last year - and the champ was on board for the last two of those successes.

The six-year-old scored at Ayr last June before following up over this course and distance under Hanagan the following month and the combination later scored at Ayr the following month. Glenluiji has been without the champs assistance in four outings so far this term, but showed signs of coming to hand when finishing a close fourth at Hamilton recently and with Hanagan back on board, he looks a sound wager.

Goldie can initiate a treble for his Glasgow yard by saddling Los Nadis to take the opening Deloitte Handicap (6.55pm) for amateur riders.

Los Nadis has landed three of his six career wins on the seaside track - two of them over hurdles and the other in this event 12 months ago when he was partnered by top amateur jockey Simon Walker.

The latter defects this time to ride Westlin Winds, but that one has never won on the level and I prefer.Los Nadis who has been unplaced in two recent runs at Musselburgh, but they were over shorter trips and the step back up to two miles will play to his strengths.

Ryedale Dancer hinted at ability in her first three starts and went close to opening her winning account when runner-up at Carlisle in May where she led until the final furlong.

That was on easy ground and she may have found the faster surface against her when subsequently unplaced at Radcer, but the recent rain should have left underfoot conditions to her liking again tonight.

Joe Rowntree's Musselburgh selections for tonight: 6.55 Los Nadis; 8.25 Grandad Bill; 8.55 Glenluji; 9.25 Ryedale Dancer