PAUL HANAGAN will be hoping to keep the ride on Barshiba at York next month after partnering the David Elsworth-trained mare to victory in the bet365 Lancashire Oaks at Haydock on Saturday.
The Warrington jockey landed the Group Two feature for the second successive season at his ‘home’ track when bringing home the five-year-old in determined fashion by three-and-three-quarter-lengths from Fallen In Love.
Trainer Elsworth is looking to step Barshiba up to Group One company for the Yorkshire Oaks on Darley August 20.
And following Saturday’s win Hanagan thinks she has the ability to complete the Lancashire-Yorkshire Oaks double.
Hanagan is enjoying a fine season. Having notched a first Royal Ascot winner, he is in the thick of the jockey’s title race and has 69 winners so far this year.
The 28-year-old revelled in adding to last year’s Lancashire Oaks win on Anna Pavlova.
He said: “Two years in a row is just great. I said it was like winning the ‘Derby’ last year and it is the same again. You can enjoy it a bit more, though, second time around.
“It is my local track, I had my first ride here, first winner and to get another big winner is great. The season just gets better and better.
“She is a real nice horse. She did it real well. She quickened up and then kept lengthening all the way. It just helps that horse going a nice gallop up front. It helped her settle because she can be very keen. I just tried to not fall out with her and keep her sweet.
“I think this is my first winner for Mr Elsworth. I have had a few rides, so it is nice to get a big one.
“I think she has definitely got the ability for a Group One. And the better races they go a better pace and that will suit her even more. The Yorkshire Oaks could suit and I would love to ride her again in that.”
Elsworth was also delighted with Barshiba and the Newmarket trainer said: “She did it very well and I wasn’t surprised as some of her form was very good.
“She was only beaten seven lengths by the colts in the Hardwicke at Royal Ascot the time before, but I suppose everyone was looking at the three-year-old fillies that were coming through.
“We’ll look at the Yorkshire Oaks and I suppose the Oaks winner (Sariska) could also turn up there. There is a hefty weight-for-age (allowance) still and we have to give those three-year-olds a lot of weight so it won’t be easy.
“She took a while to come to herself in the spring so hopefully she can retain the good form she is in now.
“I’m not sure if she’ll run again before York and we try to make a decision based on the feeling we get off the animals themselves.
“If there was a suitable opportunity and she was in great form, we’d run her again. As my old sports master used to say, if the ball is at your feet, kick it or somebody will move it.
“I haven’t thought about running her or looked for another race so we’ll just see how it goes.”
Meanwhile Clive Cox was delighted his decision to bypass Royal Ascot with Red Merlin paid off handsomely with victory in the bet365 Old Newton Cup at Haydock.
Under Philip Robinson 15-2 joint-favourite landed the valuable handicap by half a length from Munsef.
Red Merlin may also head to York for the Ebor. Cox said: “I won this race a couple of years ago with Dansili Dancer and I am pleased we gave Royal Ascot a miss and came here and it is nice to win it again.
“He was a bit tight in his muscles after Goodwood so we waited for this and Philip gave him a great ride.
“The better the race, the better the pace which suits him as he can be a bit keen. He is progressing now he has got a bit of confidence and Philip is of the opinion that he will get better.”
He added: “The handicapper will have a view now so we will have to see, but I would hope he is better than a handicapper.”
TODAY’S NAP: Traphalgar (8pm Windsor).
