Paul Hanagan, crowned Britain’s champion jockey on the first Saturday of November, makes an eagerly-awaited return to the racecourse tomorrow when he kicks off his 2011 campaign at Wolverhampton.

The Malton rider, who is only the third northern jockey to win the Flat championship in 105 years, has purposely had a long break since his rousing victory, following a long drawn-out duel with Richard Hughes.

Having been riding-out regularly for his main supporter Richard Fahey in the last month, Hanagan admitted to “feeling great” for his resumption in advance of the turf season, which begins in earnest at the end of this month.

Tomorrow, Hanagan has five mounts, for five different trainers, and some good chances of making an immediate impact.

Sharp Shoes, trained near Middleham by Ann Duffield, is his comeback ride and the drop into selling company should benefit the speedy four-year-old, who is a previous course and distance winner.

Mata Hari Blue (4.30), trained by John Holt, finished a creditable fourth to the in-form Shawkantango over five furlongs at Southwell last time. The step up to six furlongs tomorrow should suit him even better.

Fahey provides his number one jockey with the mount on Coolminx (5.30) in the seven- furlong handicap and is not without a fighting chance if she copes with the Polytrack surface.

A useful filly on her day, and a dual winner, Coolminx has yet to race on an all-weather surface. She is, though, well drawn in stall four and it would be no surprise to see her go well.

Hanagan’s best chance may well come on Covert Decree (6.00), who runs in the concluding maiden race and looks sure to make a bold bid.

The Clive Cox-trained filly shaped well despite running green on this course last month on her debut when second to Albarak. She should be considerably sharper and wiser this time and there is every chance that she can go one better for Hanagan, who is assured of a warm welcome at Wolverhampton whether or not he comes away with a winner.

Tomorrow’s nap selection is Round Turn (3.00), trained by Ed McMahon and the mount of Graham Gibbons. The three-year-old ran well on his comeback at Lingfield a fortnight ago. He should strip fitter this time.

At Kempton, Kevin Ryan’s Verrazano aims to recover losses after being a beaten favourite at Southwell on his reappearance last month.

That race, in which the three-year-old finished third, was over six furlongs and looked to be on the sharp side for the Hambleton runner. Tomorrow’s step up to seven furlongs should suit better.

Best Trip (6.40), a winner here on his only outing this year, and the hat-trick seeking Captain Cool (8.10) are two others with solid chances.


Racing selections

Wolverhampton
2.30 Grey Boy, 3.00 Round Turn (NAP), 3.30 Sharp Shoes, 4.00 Mr Plod, 4.30 Mata Hari Blue, 5.00 Steel City Boy, 5.30 Coolminx, 6.00 Covert Decree.

Kempton
5.40 Round Won, 6.10 Fifth In Line, 6.40 Best Trip, 7.10 Carrick A Rede, 7.40 One Oi, 8.10 Captain Cool, 8.40 Verrazano.

Tomorrow’s other meetings:
Bangor and Folkestone.

Today’s meetings:
Ffos Las, Leicester and Lingfield.