Hughes & Hanagan rides today

The jockeys' title looks like going down to the wire. Both Paul Hanagan and Richard Hughes have strong books of rides at Lingfield and Kempton on Thursday but who will come out on top?

LINGFIELD

Hughes - War Painter A winner at Kempton just 12 days ago when ridden by Mr Hughes. Well-backed into favouritism that day and although that form is modest he is likely to be popular again. The worry would be that he was described by his trainer as 'a big and backward horse who would be much better next year' so Lingfield may not be ideal.

Hanagan - No ride booked:

Hughes - Rule Of Nature: An interesting move by the jockey as he rides for Sir Michael Stoute rather than for his own yard. Consistent enough filly who has not been particualrly well-fancied since the summer months but the handicapper is slowly easing her down the weights and her come-from-behind style should suit this track.

Hanagan - Little Scotland: A filly with more proven stamina than the mount of his rival but equally not in the best of form. She has tried Listed company in the past (to little avail) but is now down to a fair mark and she retains the cheek-pieces which were on for her most recent win.

Hughes - Hulcote Rose: A second ride for Sylvester Kirk on the day. Really well-bred filly who hasn't lived up to expectations however she is more of a force now back on the Polytrack. Accordingly her all-weather mark is higher though and she might be vulnerable.

Hanagan - Mango Music: Just out of the handicap but no weight problem for her light-weight jockey. A consistent filly whose Newcastle flop can be excused due to heavy ground and she looks attractively-handicapped as she returns to the all-weather in search of her first win in nine starts off the grass.

Hughes - Yurituni: Front-running filly who has little in-hand on the handicapper. Never run on this surface before and if she gets into a battle for the lead from stall 11 she might struggle to last home.

Hanagan - Ritual: Progressive son of Cape Cross who sauntered home at Hamilton when last seen. That was his first run in a handicap and connections may have been laughing at the handicapper. After an 8lb rise (and another mini-break) it's hard to work out who'll be laughing this time around.

Hughes - King Supreme: Lifeless run at the track last time when always on and off the bridle but this longer trip will suit and he does look dangerously well-handicapped. Blinkers remain on and will need to have a more positive effect today.

Hanagan - Boucheron: Now 11lbs lower than his first run this year but for good reason. However now ridden by the stable jockey for the first time and dropping into a 0-70 handicap she should put her best foot forward over a trip that should be within range (not totally proven over it yet).

Hughes - Leahness: 40-rated filly who is yet to win in seven starts. If there are any positives it would be that she ran a better race at Bath last time and that Hughes has ridden Papageno before.

Hanagan - Papageno: The pick of the ratings (59) suggesting that this is a very weak maiden. A horse who has had 18 rolls of the dice without winning but he has run well here before (when ridden by Richard Hughes) and looks the one to beat.

Hughes - D'urberville: Course-and-distance winner who was far from disgraced behind the progressive Piano last time out at Kempton. Should run his race but he has no secrets from the handicapper now racing off a mark of 63.

Hanagan - Hurricane Thomas: Normally ridden by his owner's daughter, this tough six-year-old was a winner at Nottingham last week. He has a 6lb penalty for that success but he has gone close off this mark of 61 before and should run well; lack of all-weather experience a negative.

KEMPTON

Hughes - Lady Rosamunde: A quick dash from Lingfield, especially after missing rides yesterday due to traffic problems. Nicely-bred filly but her yard aren't usually renowned for debutante winners and with an interesting Godolphin newcomer in the race she might be up against it. Having said that, this filyl si a half-sister to Meeznah and there are juvenile winners amongst her siblings.

Hanagan - No ride booked:

Hughes - Queen Of Cash: Filly who has plenty of precocious family members on her dam's side. Looks nicely-handicapped off 62 for this first foray into nursery grade and despite a wide draw she should play a hand in the finish.

Hanagan - Misscomplacent: Filly who is yet to win in ten starts and connections stick with the blinkers on for the last few runs. She continues to finish in the frame so the handicapper cannot drop her in the weights easily and she looks betwen a rock and a hard place at the moment.

Hughes - Dingaan: Enigmatic seven-year-old who can often take a pull in a sheep-skin noseband. Might have found an ideal partner in today's jockey and this course winner is favoured by the weights of this claiming contest.

Hanagan - Vhujon: 72 races under his belt despite only being five years old. Has been in fair form in this grade of late and another bold bid anticiapted from stall four despite giving weight to his higher rated rival.

Hughes - Larkrise Star: Filly with only one win to her name but her all-weather form this winter is solid enough. Jockey has ridden her before (when down the field at the track) and the duo both rate as some of the more consistent in this weak race.

Hanagan - Jackson: Globetrotting eight-year-old who was a winner in Dubai in January 2009. Hasn't shown an awful lot in three starts for new trainer Richard Guest (all at big prices) but has dropped to a mark of 50 and may have been plotted up for a race like this for some time.

Hughes - High On A Hill: Third and final ride of the day for Sylvester Kirk. This gelding tasted success at Windsor in April off just a one pound higher mark and he shaped with promise at the track last time out when sent off at 33/1. Likely to be much shorter here despite an awkward draw.

Hanagan - Iron Condor: Could only finish sixth at Goodwood last month with Hanagan in the saddle but his all-weather form is more solid, espeically at this track. Often held up for a late challenge so this could be a real test of nerve for his jockey.

VERDICT: A good day for Richard Hughes. Just. There should be little between them come the close of play. 3-2 to Hughes looks just about right.