Hanagan notches 1,000th winner but De Sousa edges ahead in championship race

Paul Hanagan rode the 1,000th winner of his career at Catterick courtesy of Blown It in the five-furlong handicap yet was still eclipsed by arch-rival Silvestra De Sousa who landed the first two races on the same card to edge into the lead in the jockeys’ championship.

De Sousa partnered Eraada in the opening maiden before steering well-backed favourite Dark Spirit to success in the seller.

He went on to take his season’s tally to 90, two clear of Hanagan, when successful on Daaweitza at Southwell’s evening meeting and is now no bigger than 11-10 to be crowned champion jockey, with Hanagan 13-8. 

1,000th winner: Hanagan (left)

1,000th winner: Hanagan (left)

Meanwhile, the results of a BHA inquiry into whether trainer Howard Johnson is guilty of breaching the rules of racing will not be made public until a week today at the latest.

However, Johnson has been informed of the outcome. The County Durham trainer is accused of running Striking Article eight times after the gelding had undergone a palmar neurectomy, which causes horses to lose sensation in the back of the foot.

Jockey Billy Cray was taken to hospital for further examination after suffering a fall at Southwell on Tuesday night.

The 3lb claimer was unshipped from Hareem Dancer on the way to the start for the five furlong maiden.

Cray was on the track for a short while before being loaded into an ambulance and taken to hospital in nearby Nottingham for treatment.

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