A two-day race ban that is so frustrating for me; RACING Jockey Paul Hanagan with the inside track.

Byline: Jockey Paul Hanagan

I'M kicking myself at the moment because I have to serve a two-day ban this weekend.

Haydock Park stages a huge meeting, with the Betfred Silver Bowl and the betfred.com Temple Stakes, and I miss a ride on stable star Utmost Respect in Ireland.

For weeks I highlighted our stable star's chances at York last week. It was touch and go about the ground because he likes it soft, but trainer Richard Fahey gave the green light and he ran a tremendous race to win for me in the Duke of York Stakes.

He's set to go to The Curragh for the Greenlands Stakes on Saturday. The ground in Ireland is currently heavy. He should relish that, and I can't see anything beating him. I just wish I was in the saddle rather than sitting at home! I had almost a full book of rides on the opening day of Haydock Park's three-day meeting this afternoon.

Then, tomorrow, it's Newcastle and Pontefract. I have a horse in every race at the Yorkshire track in the evening which coincides with the opening Ladies' Night of the year at Haydock.

For those going along to Haydock, I'd suggest Fresh from highlighting an 8-1 winner last week, Nor th West jockey PAUL HANAGAN pinpoints his best rides, before serving a two-day ban, in his Flat racing column sponsored by Haydock Park Racecourse keeping an eye on a couple of horses that I ride at Pontefract.

I rate Shekan Star my best chance of a winner tomorrow evening. She runs in the 7pm race.

I won on her at Beverley when I thought ten furlongs would be too sharp for her, but she had no problems. It's a stiffer one and a quarter miles at Pontefract, and that will really suit her. I think she has a really good chance of winning.

The conditions stakes half an hour later is a hot race, but I am on board a really nice filly.

Maidtorun won at the second time of asking at Beverley just over a fortnight ago. The Mark Johnston-trained filly that she beat that day has subsequently come out and won at Newmarket, so the form of the Beverley race is solid.

However, it'll be tough tomorrow. If Maidtorun is in the first three, I would be pleased, but in saying that she could be anything.

York was a fantastic meeting for me last week in terms of winners - including Sloop Johnb at 8-1. However, I also picked up five days in suspensions so I am due a 'holiday' next week.

And that's exactly what I'll do. Five days in Spain will re-charge the batteries.

Racing this week at Haydock Park is between Thursday 21 and Saturday 23 May, including the opening Ladies' Night of the year on Friday.

Scheduled first race times are 1.50pm, 6.20pm and 2.05pm. Admission (on each day respectively) to the Newton Enclosure is pounds 8, 10, 11; Tattersalls pounds 15, 18, 20; County Enclosure pounds 23, 28, 34; Premier pounds 34, 43 45.

Accompanied children under 16 enter free.

Senior citizens and students who can produce appropriate identification, enter Tattersalls and the Newton Enclosure at half price.

More details about racing at Haydock Park are available on web site www.haydock-park.co.

uk.

Ticket hotline [phone]..