WARRINGTON-born professional jockey Paul Hanagan’s outstanding start to the flat season got even better at the weekend.

The former Sir Thomas Boteler High School pupil won the Lancashire Oaks for the first time at Haydock Park.

Hanagan, who originates from Latchford but is now settled in North Yorkshire with his wife and son close to trainer Richard Fahey’s stables, was first past the post on Anna Pavlova on Saturday.

He received a glorious reception from many Warringtonians who had made a special effort to see the town’s leading jockey in action.

Afterwards, Hanagan told the waiting media that the success was like ‘Winning the Derby’ due to the prestige of the race and the fact that it was at his home course.

Joint favourite Anna Pavlova travelled strongly through the group of nine fillies and mares, leading from a furlong out and pulling clear in the home straight.

It was Hanagan’s only win of the day but he has been on fire so far this year, sitting fifth in the jockeys’ table when the Oaks became his 58th victory since the start of April.

He is approximately 20 wins ahead of any previous season at this stage and if he can stay fit and healthy looks set to enjoy his best season yet.

Hanagan’s life as a jockey is a busy one.

Typically, after his five races at Haydock on Saturday, he moved on to Carlisle for three more runs with his best finish being second on Paddy Bear.

There were five more races at Ayr on Sunday, while there was a win on Master Noverre among his six outings at Beverley 24 hours before his Haydock glory day.

The last time Hanagan did not have a race day was June 29.