Paul Hanagan vs Richard Hughes - more twists

Paul Hanagan now leads Richard Hughes by 186-184 after yesterday´s results, so this race could go down to the wire. Hughes missed his rides at Kempton last night as his helicopter was grounded because of the bad weather, but this could be a blessing in disguise - as none of his rides won, and he is now able to ride on Friday according to the rules. However the declarations to run have already been made for Friday´s meetings and all the runners are jocked up, so a good reason mist be found for a change of jockeys.

Both jockeys are riding at Lingfield this afternoon and Kempton this evening. Hughes has more rides -12 to 10, but Hanagan has arguably the better prospects. Hughes´ best chances at Lingfield are War Painter at 13.45 CET and Hulcote Rise at 1455, both trained by his brother-in-law Sylvester Kirk, but Hanagan can counter with Jeremy Noseda´s Ritual at 15.30 and John Jenkins´ Papageno at 16.40.

This evening they go head-to-head in the 6 furlongs seller at 20.00, with Hughes riding Andrew Balding´s Dingaan and Hanagan on David Evans´ Vhujon. Dingaan is possibly the better performer, but he is a bit tricky and Vhujon, a CD specialist, can be preferred. Their other rides, mainly in low-level handicaps, all face tough tasks.
Best bet at Kempton should be Enititled (Sir Michael Stoute/ Kieren Fallon) in the 7 furlongs maiden at 18.00. This well-bred filly has started favourite for all her 3 starts, but finished runner-up each time, but she meets very weak opposition this time. Talking of pedigrees, the best-bred runner of all today is Godolphin´s Almaasah (Saeed bin Suroor/ Ted Durcan), who makes her debut in division one of the maiden fillies race at 18.30; she is an own sister to Kentucky Derby winner Street Sense. The same team can also take the second division half an hour later with Alareen, who however needs to improve a bit.