Paul Hanagan back in form after 'character-building' weekend

Age does not make disappointment any less painful – but it does make it easier to bounce back.

Ask Paul Hanagan, the former dual champion jockey who is riding as well as ever as he bids to make up for lost time after a long spell out of action with a career-threatening injury last season.

He produced a fine last-to-first ride to win the 1m4f handicap on Furzig for Richard Fahey then spoke of the disappointment of stablemate Fev Rover's defeat in a muddy Irish 1,000 Guineas.

"I had nearly seven months off and you appreciate things more," said Hanagan, 40. "The weekend was character-building but it's onwards and upwards.

"I had four seconds on the Friday, one on Saturday and then the Sunday was a bit of a write-off with Fev Rover in the Irish 1,000 Guineas. The ground was knee-deep so you can't put too much blame on her, there were puddles down at the start, that's how bad it was.

"As you get older you deal with it a bit better but it's still tough when you get a big chance like the Guineas."

Furzig came from behind to win and Hanagan said: "It played to his strengths because they went a good gallop and I was able to switch him off and he came home really well, though it's very tacky, gluey ground out there and it's just a case of keeping hold of their heads - he just about got through it.

"I hat to sit and suffer when I went for him but he's got a big heart and he's very game."

Easterby in the groove

Tim Easterby advertised the wellbeing of his string by scoring with Wildcitydiva (three-year-old handicap) and Fishable (1m2f handicap).

"The horses are in really good form," the trainer said. "The older horses are running well, the two-year-olds are running well and I've got some nice ones."

Few are nicer than Royal Ascot-bound sprinters Winter Power and Art Power and Easterby added: "They're in really good form. Art Power is working really well and Winter Power doesn't really take a lot of work - she's bang on. We're looking ahead to the season with them."

'Reluctantly, we had got used to racing behind closed doors and it's great to see so many happy, smiling faces'Credit: David Carr

Welcome back after 20 months

It may not have matched the Cheltenham roar but there was a definite buzz with racegoers allowed back for the first time since 2019.

"There is a completely different feel about the place," said delighted managing director James Hutchinson.

"Reluctantly, we had got used to racing behind closed doors and it's great to see so many happy, smiling faces.

"We could have had up to 3,000 people here today and it's probably about half that, 1,400 or 1,500. It's a nice gentle re-introduction and people can get used to the new arrangements."

The first winner to be cheered home here for 20 months was Jersey Rose, who showed the benefit of experience to take the novice event by a ready three and a half lengths.

David Nolan rode the winner for David O'Meara and said: "She ran well first time and showed a bit of promise.

"She was up a furlong today and seemed to appreciate it. She handled the track well, jumped and travelled. It panned out lovely for me."

Read more on Paul Hanagan:

Paul Hanagan rides his 2,000th British winner at Newcastle

'It was touch and go whether I'd ride again': Paul Hanagan set for York return

MRI scan reveals additional injuries to Paul Hanagan after Newcastle fall

Replays, results and analysis

New Sky Bet customers can get £20 in free bets when they place a £5 bet. First single & EW bet only. Odds of 1-1 or greater. 2x £/10 bet tokens. Free bet stakes not included in returns. Free bets are non withdrawable. No free bet expiry. Eligibility restrictions. Full T&Cs here. 18+.