Paul Hanagan poised to capture conquest on in-form filly Sigurwana (From York Press)

Paul Hanagan poised to capture conquest on in-form filly Sigurwana

11:13am Wednesday 24th October 2012 in Sport By Tom O'Ryan, Racing journalist

Paul Hanagan will be hoping that nap selection Sigurwana enjoys a less dramatic visit to Wolverhampton tomorrow than she experienced back in August.

On that occasion, the William Haggas-trained filly gained a half-length victory in the hands of Liam Jones, only to lose the race in the stewards’ room after being found guilty of causing interference.

Sigurwana has since gained compensation. At Newcastle six weeks ago, the Newmarket filly finally broke her maiden with another solid display of galloping. She turns out tomorrow evening in the attheraces.com Breeders’ Cup Site Now Live Fillies’ Handicap. With Hanagan back in the saddle, she is fancied to come out on top – and stay clear of any stewards’ inquiries.

Hanagan and Haggas can also win the $150M Breeders’ Cup Pools Handicap second division with Tawaasul.

Although it is five months since this three-year-old was last seen, Tawaasul was a winner then at Newcastle and looked the type to progress further. Lack of fitness is seldom a problem for Haggas-trained runners and her lengthy absence is unlikely to trouble her.

Norton jockey Tom Eaves has good prospects of getting punters off to a flier aboard Mandy Layla in the Breeders’ Cup Live On ATR Claiming Stakes.

The Bryan Smart-trained filly won a selling race on this course recently. This is a tougher challenge, but she is in good heart.

Recent winner Sunley Pride (8.10) and See The Storm (9.10), narrowly beaten at Salisbury and Brighton on his last two outings, are two others to note.

North Yorkshire trainer Mark Johnston can complete a double at Southwell with Double Your Money and Danube River.

Double Your Money, who runs in the Breeders’ Cup Live Only on ATR Novice Stakes, was far from disgraced when sixth in a competitive nursery at Kempton last time out. He had previously broken his maiden on this course in August.

Danube River went down by only a head to The Lock Master at Leicester last time. He deserves to find compensation for that slender defeat in the Guaranteed $2 million Jackpot Pool Handicap and make it two wins from three starts on an all-weather surface, having scored at Lingfield earlier in the season.

Ollie Pears may hold the key to the opening division one of the Bramley Apple Handicap.

The Norton trainer saddles Burns Night, who shaped well to finish third to Talent Scout at Newcastle last month on his first outing since April. If that race has had the desired effect, Burns Night, who looks well handicapped compared to the much higher rating he was racing off in his prime, may be good enough to beat these rivals.

In the Mirror Punters Club Maiden Stakes, Alwilda should not be overlooked.

Racing selections

Southwell (tomorrow)
1.30 Burns Night, 2.00 Royal Holiday, 2.30 Alwilda, 3.05 Double Your Money, 3.35 Havin’ A Good Time, 4.05 Infinitum, 4.40 Danube River, 5.10 Ace Of Spies.

Wolverhampton (tomorrow)
5.40 Mandy Layla, 6.10 Sigurwana (NAP), 6.40 Spieta, 7.10 Sea Fever, 7.40 Tawaasul, 8.10 Sunley Pride, 8.40 Haftohaf, 9.10 See The Storm.

Tomorrow’s other meetings: Carlisle and Ludlow.

Today’s meetings: Fontwell, Kempton, Newmarket and Worcester.