Paul Hanagan backs Danny Tudhope in his jockeys' championship quest

Former champion jockey Paul Hanagan has thrown his weight behind Danny Tudhope's bid to become the first northern-based rider to take the Flat jockeys' title since his second win eight years ago.

Hanagan, who won the title back-to-back in 2010 and 2011, believes Tudhope is in a great place mentally and physically to mount a sustained challenge against Oisin Murphy and reigning champion Silvestre de Sousa.

The title betting rates Tudhope, who rode four winners at Royal Ascot, a 16-1 chance with Murphy 4-9 and De Sousa a best-priced 7-4, but Hanagan knows all about upsetting the odds having landed prices of 33-1 and above in his first year.

"I've said for a few years that Danny can be champion jockey one day," said Hanagan. "We've been riding together for quite a long time and I always thought it was a case of him getting his weight and his head right. He's turned that corner now and has come to the fore, although he's always been a class jockey.

"The competition is strong with Oisin and Silvestre but I think he's got every chance. Confidence is key and he's got a lot of backing, not only with David O'Meara, but also down south with the likes of William Haggas, which is what you need.

"It comes down to how much you want it as you're going to Wolverhampton night meetings at the back end of the season when you're mentally and physically drained and you've got to keep your foot on the pedal. It's tough on you and your family."

After Saturday's action, Murphy topped the Stobart Flat jockeys' championship on 51 winners with Tudhope, who reached the 1,000-winner landmark this month, and De Sousa tied on 48.

Hanagan might be well adrift of that trio, but he is satisfied with his lot since moving back to Richard Fahey in 2017 after parting ways with owner Hamdan Al Maktoum following four years as his retained rider.

"I'm really happy with the way things are going as I'm riding plenty of winners for Richard and getting some good outside rides," he said.

Hanagan rode Sands Of Mali to three Group-race successes last year – culminating in victory at the highest level in the Champions Sprint – but has not partnered Fahey's star sprinter since Phoenix Thoroughbreds bought into the colt last November.

Sands Of Mali was ridden by James McDonald when well beaten in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot – a meeting at which Hanagan had just one ride.

"I was at Ascot for one day and just got touched off in the Norfolk with Ventura Rebel," the jockey said. "The winner [A'Ali] had too much speed for him but I think mine was the horse to take out of the race. He's very quick but he's so laid-back, I think he'll get six furlongs in time.

"It's great to be there on the big days but when Ascot was on I was up here riding plenty of nice winners."

Jockey Paul Hanagan with Liverpool left-back Andy Robertson at Ayr

On the last day of Royal Ascot, Hanagan bagged a treble at Ayr and got to meet Andy Robertson, one of the key members of his beloved Liverpool's Champions League-winning side.

"It was great to meet him and his family and friends are into their racing," he said. "He's been a brilliant player for us and the fans really like him as he's got a bit of the Roy of the Rovers about him."

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