Hanagan keen to become champion

Paul Hanagan is a former Champion Apprentice jockey

North Yorkshire's Paul Hanagan still harbours hopes of becoming flat racing's champion jockey.

The 29-year old is stable jockey for Malton-based Richard Fahey and rode 100 winners in the 2009 season.

He was named Yorkshire's top jockey for the third consecutive year but told BBC Radio York he still has work to do.

"It's still a big step to be fair," he said. "Ryan Moore, I think, finished on nearly 200 winners so he's in a bit of a different league at the moment."

However, Hanagan will keep striving to achieve his ambition.

"I'm going to keep trying, keep the head down and I don't think it's impossible," he insisted.

"Kevin Darley's done it from the north before. I'm not saying I will do it but I'm going to keep trying. "

From this year's 100 winners, Hanagan rode 42 at Yorkshire courses and he says being named again as the top jockey in the region ended a great season.

"Highlights would be Upmost Respect winning the Duke of York Group 2.

"I had my first Royal Ascot winner and 100 winners on the turf. They've been my three main feats. It's just capped off a great season."

However he admitted reaching his target of 100 winners had not been easy.

"I didn't think I was going to get there. The last day at Doncaster was looming quite sharply and I managed to do it on a rainy afternoon at Nottingham.

"I didn't really care what the weather was that day. I was a very happy man.

"It was the main aim at the start of the season and I was really chuffed."