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I like them both, much to admire about both really.
However, I found myself, without realising I had any predeliction either way beforehand, punching the air when Paul Hanagan won the last at Kempton tonight to stretch his lead back to two.
My colours are now nailed to the mast.
Get in Paul!
I like them both, much to admire about both really.
However, I found myself, without realising I had any predeliction either way beforehand, punching the air when Paul Hanagan won the last at Kempton tonight
Haha..exactly the same here!
I didn’t even have a bet in the race but celebrated like I had!
Think it’s probably the North/South thing for me, being a proud Northener and with PH not getting to ride anything like the quality of horse that Hughsie does being another.
Both excellent jockeys though and the excitement this type of thing creates is exactly what racing needs. I’ve had 3 people at work this week who have absolutely no interest in racing make comment and conversation about the ding dong battle the two are having and that can only be good.
Come on Paul bring it home for the North!
The most likely winner is Hanagan who has rides at two meetings tomorrow whereas Hughes’s agent is having to encourage declared jockeys to jump off at Wolves!
The battle has at least maintained some interest in the fag end of the flat season. Doubtless the sparse crowds at Kempton AW will have been boosted by press.
Got to take your hat off to the durability of the pair of them. Win, lose or draw both have enhanced their reputations.
Hanagan keeps things simple and Hughes looks a far cry from the rider who seemed to get boxed in.
Hughes has rebuilt himself after the split with Abdulla. I’m sure riding for his father in law is less pressure in some ways and gives him more confidence.
He is amiable enough to speak to and during interviews and is frank about his weight and alcohol problems.
Yes he has the support of Hannon’s vast stable and use of a helicopter but has spent most of the season in the south where the racing is more competitive and opposition riders better. He has also been riding in Group races in Europe on weekends.
Conversely Hanagan has been racing in the less competitive climes of the north. A number of his winners have come at Scottish tracks which are hardly hotbeds of flat racing.
I also felt Hughes was hard done by by the stewards.
I’m a southerner but not chippy
Nothing to do with north v south but it’s Hughes for me
Think he’s up against it though!
Very mixed feelings. Both of them are very personable and excellent jockeys. There was a part of me that said Hughes, because he would have fewer chances to do it in the future. Then I realized that is not really true, because he may have just the same sort of year next year and be close to becoming the champion in 2011. In all fairness, Hanagan deserves to win it. I hope he does.
Both great jockeys, but Hanagan gets my vote because he’s been doing it on horses that, frankly, weren’t as good as Hughes’. It’ll be good to see someone who isn’t an ‘insider’, as it were, do it.
Oh, and before anyone says anything, I’m Welsh and I live in Essex!
Twitter=@PGHenn
So don't run, just like the others always do
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Richard Hughes I just love the way he’s ridden this year, nothing beats the ride on Canford Cliffs for me! bloke is pure genuis in a saddle.
For all the hard working northerners up there I am sure Hanagan has given you something to be proud off, it’s such a great battle and both lads deserve to win it.
I like both of them and wouldn’t bother me if it ended a draw but watching the races each day i’ve been finding myself cheering hughes on whether i had backed him or not,whether it’s just rooting for the underdog or what i’m not sure!
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I’ve been rooting for Hanagan cause even in the lead I see him as the underdog. Maybe it’s seeing both of them in their houses and realising hnagan lives like me while Hughes lives the high life.
Not that it matters but I’m from London. North and South doesn’t matter to me.
I’ve been rooting for Hanagan cause even in the lead I see him as the underdog. Maybe it’s seeing both of them in their houses and realising hnagan lives like me while Hughes lives the high life.
Not that it matters but I’m from London. North and South doesn’t matter to me.
True in the sense that Hanagan is on the way up whereas Hughes is already there. Thus Hanagan has the more modest house.
However material things aren’t everything
Hanagan eats what he wants whereas Hughes starves himself and spends much of his life in a hot bath to waste
How they live is really irrelevant its how they do there job RHughes has been riding with brilliance and confidence all season as has PHanagan whoever wins does not matter to me but they are keeping the flagging end of season on a high.
With PH 4 ahead it’s all over bar the shouting. Congrats to Paul Hanagan, a worthy champion.
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Will Hughes re-route to Churchill Downs now?
Hope not.
Fact is, I’d love to see Paco Boy finish with a win (over Goldikova, finally) and Moore has a much better chance of producing the goods, hold up horse or not.
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