The jockeys’ championship picture remains in focus as Oisin Murphy and Billy Loughnane head into another day with contrasting books of rides. Here is how their respective schedules could shape the contest.
The title-race picture ahead of today
With just over three weeks to go until the Flat Jockeys’ Championship is decided, Loughnane leads Murphy by 18 winners. The gap was down to 15 for the majority of Wednesday after Murphy reached five winners for the week at Goodwood. However, Loughnane hit back in the spirit of a champion with three winners of his own at Southwell on Wednesday alone.
The standings have Loughnane clear at the top on 139, with Murphy on 121. The rest are nowhere.
Oisin Murphy’s rides: where he can apply pressure
Murphy has a ride in every race on day one of the Cambridgeshire meeting at Newmarket on Thursday.
The Killarney native partners the favourite in race six at 4.10pm. King Of Berkshire is a 6/4 shot for Andrew Balding, a regular supporter of Murphy’s. The three-year-old is looking to back up an impressive success ten days ago at Windsor.
This does have the potential to be a swing day for Murphy; he has four further mounts who are either second or third in the betting on the Rowley Mile. They are Hamsin (1.15pm), Mubasimah (1.50pm), Black Velvet Boy (2.25pm) and Media Legend (4.45pm).
His partners in the two feature races may need more cajoling to get home first if the markets are to be believed. Sontsivka is his mount in the Group 3 Tattersalls Stakes for Hugo Palmer. He did win impressively earlier this month at Kempton though. Spirit Mixer, on the other hand, is a big outsider in the Listed Rose Bowl Stakes.
Billy Loughnane’s rides: how he can hit back
Loughnane will have the advantage yet again of knowing how much Murphy has eaten into his lead. His title rival is likely to have guided at least one winner home if the markets are true.
None of his first three rides are likely to be the favourite in their respective races. This means that were he to gain a winner from any of them, it could provide a huge boost to his title chances. That said, Starakova (4.22pm), Eevee Star (4.58pm) and Thapa Vc (5.30pm) are all currently obeing offers at single-figure prices, so punters and bookmakers clearly believe they are in with a chance.
All of Lieutenant Kije (6.00pm), Hunstanton (6.30pm), Fiorella Princess (7.30pm) and Meet Me In Meraki (8.30pm) are betting leaders though. Loughnane will rely on that quartet to provide him with at least one winner to keep Murphy at bay. He misses only the 7.00pm on the card, while Emma’s Letter (8.00pm) is another horse for whom a victory will be a real boon to Loughnane and his title hopes.
The moments that could shape the jockeys’ title race today
1.15pm – Murphy partners Hamsin in the Newmarket opener
4.10pm – King Of Berkshire runs as Murphy’s only favourite on the Newmarket card
4.22pm – Loughnane’s first Thursday ride at Southwell
4.45pm – Murphy concludes his Newmarket book aboard Media Legend
6.00pm – Loughnane partners the first of four favourites he is set to ride on this evening’s card
8.30pm – Loughnane rides in the finale at Southwell, aboard another favourite in Meet Me In Meraki