Paul Hanagan was crowned champion British Flat jockey for 2010 after an epic battle with Richard Hughes concluded on the final day of the season at Doncaster.Hanagan led from the very first day of the campaign in March when he rode a four-timer at the same track.The likeable 30-year-old was forced to travel the length and breadth of the country in recent weeks in search of valuable winners as Hughes pushed him every step of the way.Despite never taking the lead, Irishman Hughes had been in insat

Paul Hanagan was crowned champion British Flat jockey for 2010 after an epic battle with Richard Hughes concluded on the final day of the season at Doncaster.

Hanagan led from the very first day of the campaign in March when he rode a four-timer at the same track.

The likeable 30-year-old was forced to travel the length and breadth of the country in recent weeks in search of valuable winners as Hughes pushed him every step of the way.

Despite never taking the lead, Irishman Hughes had been in insatiable form of late and closed the gap on a seemingly daily basis.

The momentum swung one way and then the other in pendulum fashion but after Hughes failed to land the feature race, the totesport.com November Handicap on Senate, Hanagan could finally believe he was the champion.

Hanagan was mobbed and cheered all the way back to the weighing room where he was hugged by his colleagues.

"I'm gobsmacked to be honest," Hanagan said,

"I'd be here all day if I was to thank everybody who has helped me. They know who they are.

"I've been in front from day one.

"I've lived the past week out of a suitcase going to Kempton and Lingfield.

"It sounds great being called champion jockey, I think it will take a while to sink in.

"I'd just like to say what a gentleman Richard Hughes has been, I had a lot of respect for him before but even more now."

Hughes, who passed up the ride on Paco Boy at the Breeders' Cup in Kentucky to give the title his last shot, paid tribute to his rival.

"I'm delighted for Paul, he's a great lad, it wasn't to be," he said.

"I gave it a good go, my agent did a great job, I think I rode 23 winners in the last 10 days alone which is a feat in itself.

"Take nothing away from Paul, he led from the start, he deserves it.

"The seven-day suspension I got didn't help. I'm not complaining though, it didn't help but if you break the rules you get punished.

"The year is full of ups and downs, but most of my year was up.

"I missed Paco Boy (at the Breeders' Cup) because I didn't want to wonder 'what if' for the rest of my life.

"Paul deserves it, he's a true champion and a real gentleman."