'It was touch and go whether I'd ride again': Paul Hanagan set for York return

Former champion jockey Paul Hanagan will return from the worst injury of his career next week just in time for York's prestigious Ebor meeting.

Hanagan plans to warm up for four big days on the Knavesmire by riding at Beverley on Tuesday, following six months on the sidelines with a broken back.

"I've spent the last three weeks riding out and it was my goal to get back for York," he said. "I'm chuffed to bits to be back because shortly after the accident it was touch and go whether I'd ride again."

After a fall on Requinto Dawn in a 6f handicap at Newcastle in February, the jockey was found to have suffered a fracture to his T6 vertebra.

Subsequent scans revealed he had further fractures to his T3 and T4 and he required keyhole surgery, which proved a turning point in his recovery.

He said: "I had one of the best back specialists in the country, Daniel Fagan, performing keyhole surgery and he inserted a balloon with a type of cement into my back to fix the cracked vertebrae. He took the balloon out and it makes it twice as strong."

Hanagan is unsure about his potential York rides for longtime ally Richard Fahey at this stage, but he has been booked for the Ian Williams-trained Blue Laureate on Wednesday.

Hanagan's rides

2.30 Beverley
May She Shine

Bobby Shaft

The return to action is timely in other ways as the Warrington-born rider, who was champion jockey in 2010 and 2011, will be 40 next month.

Hanagan, who partnered Taghrooda and Muhaarar to multiple Group 1 victories during his tenure as retained rider for Hamdan Al Maktoum, is closing in on another landmark as he is 24 short of 2,000 career winners.

"It's been a character-building few months but I've had great support from Jack Berry House and don't think I've ever been as fit or felt as strong in all my career," he said.

"I used to be quite a heavy smoker and I'm coming up to two years off them, and considering I'm coming back from a bad injury I feel great.

"I've never been quite as heavy, but hopefully that can work its way down once I'm back in the swing of things."

Read more:

MRI scan reveals additional injuries to Paul Hanagan after Newcastle fall

Paul Hanagan relieved to return home from hospital after back fracture

Dettori sacrifices Ebor festival to ride in France as quarantine rule kicks in

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