Paul Hanagan is Sheikh Hamdan’s New No 1.

With the announcement of Paul Hanagan as Sheikh Hamdan’s new first jockey, betting on the 2012 Flat jockey’s championship was thrown into a spin on thursday.

Hanagan narrowly beat Richard Hughes to win the title in 2010 and was then pushed equally hard last season by Silvestre de Sousa, who was appointed No 2 at Godolphin earlier in the week. But after that epic struggle the pair are, theoretically, swapping quantity for quality. Last season Sheikh Hamdan had 100 winners but lacked a superstar.

“It wasn’t an easy decision,” admitted Hanagan. “I’ve been with Richard Fahey for 17 years and it was quite emotional when I went to see him. I wouldn’t be where I am if it wasn’t for him and anytime I’m not riding for Sheikh Hamdan, I’ll ride for Richard.

“It was the history of Sheikh Hamdan’s operation that swung me, there are so many Classics. I rememebr watching Nashan when I was growing up and Willie Carson and Richard Hills were riding the horses. To be offered the role was an offer I couldn’t resist. His loyalty and set-up is first class.”

For Hanagan the new appointment gives him a long sort chance to compete in the best races rather than shuttling between whichever remote racecourse offers the possibility of most winners on any given day.

“There were plenty of people saying, ‘He’s twice champion jockey but he’s only ridden one Group One winner’. I want to improve the quality of horse that I ride.”

Hanagan’s agent, Richard Hale continued in that vane, saying: “He’ll be riding good horses in good races and it’s a chance to answer those people who say, ‘He rides lots of winners but can he do it in the Group races?’ You still hear that but Paul Hanagan won’t be letting anyone down.”

Ladbrokes have made De Sousa a 5-1 chance and Hanagan on offer at 6-1 and put Kieren Fallon, Ryan Moore and Richard Hughes as 4-1 joint-favourites to be Champion jockey this year.