DOUBLE DELIGHT FOR HANAGAN

Paul Hanagan's double contrasted with a major net loss for Silvestre de Sousa on a day when all three champion jockey aspirants were in direct competition at Nottingham.

Brazilian-born De Sousa, who had rattled off four winners at Pontefract on Monday to close on second-placed Kieren Fallon, drew a blank from five rides, but, far more seriously, incurred a four-day suspension.

Fallon was also winless before heading off to the evening meeting at Kempton.

Hanagan firstly drove out Richard Fahey's Changing The Guard (12-1) in division one of the Keoghs Irish Bar Nottingham Handicap, and coasted well clear on the William Haggas-trained Figaro (6-5 favourite) in the Nottingham Racecourse Rating Related Maiden Stakes.

Surprisingly, current title-holder Hanagan had been on a 29-ride losing run stretching back to September 29.

"I thought I had a good book of rides today," he said.

"It's been quite hard work and I've been hitting the crossbar recently without really doing anything wrong.

"But today was a good day."

De Sousa is now 13 behind Hanagan but must sit out October 19-21 and October 24 after being found to have caused interference when second aboard Teide Peak in the EBF Maiden Stakes.

The jockey felt the verdict was "a bit harsh", but planned to review the race before considering any kind of appeal.

Teide Peak came up half a length short against Fennell Bay, who is a half-brother to smart filly Rising Cross.

After beating just one of his 12 rivals on his debut at Kempton, Mahmood Al Zarooni's 5-1 shot crept past Teide Peak to secure a half-length victory.

Frankie Dettori was not exactly effusive about Fennell Bay, but said: "He got the job done."

De Sousa also looked as if he might take the British Stallion Studs Supporting British Racing EBF Maiden Stakes when making a forward move on Idler (3-1), but had not reckoned on John Fahy and Lucky Henry (7-4 favourite), who had them in their sights.

Clive Cox's colt was third to Mince in a Newbury maiden last month, with the form boosted when the winner bolted up again at Pontefract, and he eventually drew a length and a half clear.

Owner Tim Bostwick said: "My wife, Gill, and I decided a couple of years ago to take a closer interest in racing and this is the first winner we have bred.

"We've a few with Clive and a couple with Malcolm Saunders and Charlie Longsdon. We came here hopeful and he has won very smoothly. Clive likes him a lot."

Sean Levey's position at Richard Hannon's stable continued to bear fruit as Guava took division one of the Ann Whelbourne 20th Anniversary Nursery.

The Irish apprentice made the major decision to leave his position with Aidan O'Brien at the start of this season and he attracted the attention of Britain's champion trainer.

Middleham Park Racing's Guava (10-1) is undoubtedly one of the yard's lesser lights but after six losing starts, she shed her maiden tag by a length and a quarter from Mount McLeod.

"I think that's my 31st winner since I moved from Ireland, so I can't complain," said Levey.

"Things have slowed down a bit because of the time of year, but I'm really appreciative of the chances I've been given and just want to ride some more winners.

"She was at the top of the handicap and I thought she had a chance."

Harry Bentley's challenge for the apprentice title also suffered a blow when he was given a two-day ban (October 19-20) for careless riding on Elegant Flight.

Division two's winner, Fifteentwo (6-1), had more obvious recent form as he had caught the eye when staying on to finish fourth on his nursery debut at Carlisle.

The Piccolo colt, trained by Dandy Nicholls and ridden by his son, Adrian, stretched well clear of the 100-30 favourite Class Monitor.

"He had really improved for his last run and definitely enjoyed the step up in trip," said the trainer's wife, Alex Greaves.

Paradise Spectre (15-2) claimed the concluding racinguk.com Apprentice Handicap.

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