Ambitious Hanagan returns to roots still with fire in his belly

Paul Hanagan is sitting in the weighing room before the last day of York’s Ebor meeting. He has gone without a winner for more than two weeks, much of which he sat out through suspension. Yorkshire’s biggest racing festival is in danger of passing him by.

He is in reflective mood. It has been a trying season since his relocation to Malton when Hamdan Al Maktoum cut ties with him towards the end of last year. He has ridden more runners-up than winners but, like a striker enduring a goal drought, he insists it is only a matter of time before the tide turns.

Hanagan’s time arrives just two hours later. He dons the white and purple silks of Peter Swann for the Gimcrack Stakes before launching Sands Of Mali to an authoritative victory in the historic race. It’s a pity Hanagan won’t get to make the Gimcrack speech. His sincerity would command any audience.