Hanagan rides treble on the ‘ best day of life’
two winners – I think they must have backed those too.”
Paul started his treble with Irreverent winning for owner Nick Wrigley in the colours made famous by 2015 William, Hill Ayr Gold Cup winner Don’t Touch.
He then rode 11- 1 chance Rebecca Rocks to win the Land O’Burns – the third time trainer Henry Candy has had the winner of this Listed contest – and finished the afternoon by steering Boy In The Bar to win the Debra Charity Handicap.
He said of his Listed race winner: “I’d never sat on her before but she settled well and worked her way into the race.
“She was spot on fitness wise considering she had been off the track for a year and she was a worthy winner.
“I don’t ride a lot for Henry Candy but he can certainly train and has a great record with fillies.”
The Hanagan CV also contains a William Hill Ayr Gold Cup win on Fonthill Road in 2006 and a Doonside Cup in 2007 when he rode the brilliant filly Anna Pavlova to victory.
He said: “I’ve always enjoyed coming here. It’s a fair big galloping track, the racing public here have always supported me and the racecourse people themselves are good. I’ll never tire of enjoying riding at Ayr.”
The two Class 2 contests on Saturday were excellent races. The £ 40,000 Wellington Bar Paisley Handicap for the Winton Cup over 1m 5f saw Heather Main saddle her first ever Ayr runner with Island Brave and the five year old duly obliged after a fine hold up ride from Alistair Rawlinson.
This horse has now won eight races – six on the all- weather – and could well win again in the not too distant future.
The other Class 2 the JW Grant Builders Merchant Handicap for the Johnstone Rose Bowl saw Club Wexford win at odds of 14- 1.
Jockey Ben Curtis made full use of the eight year- old who was running off bottom weight and led from start to finish.
The sun shone on the 6,200 crowd and some of the most