Five Monday rides at Wolverhampton for red-hot Ben Curtis

Ben Curtis has carved out a commanding lead in the British all-weather jockeys' title race after maintaining his relentless form with 22 winners since the start of the new year.

Topping the table on 55 winners – almost double the number of his nearest pursuers – Curtis is on course to become the first northern-based jockey – and the only rider other than Adam Kirby and Luke Morris – to win the title since the advent of the All-Weather Championships in 2013-14.

Only Oisin Murphy and Danny Tudhope rode more winners in Britain last year than Curtis, and the Cork-born jockey has made a staggering start to 2020 with 22 winners from just 71 rides, with victories on Blowing Dixie and Al Suil Eile at Southwell on Sunday afternoon his latest successes.

"I never could have dreamed the year would start this well – I'm getting loads of good rides and it's been amazing," said Curtis. "My agent [Simon Dodds] is doing a great job and I'm putting in plenty of miles, but you don't mind doing it when it pays off like this."

Credit: David Cramphorn

The 30-year-old was out in Dubai last winter but decided to stay at home to spend time with his young son this time around and the title charge has come a little out of the blue.

"The plan was to pick and choose and not be too busy, but things have spiralled and when the work is there you've got to go," said Curtis.

"To win any title is hard as there are so many jockeys in the country, so the competition is rife. It would be brilliant to do it and you appreciate these things more as you get older."

Curtis, who is based in Thirsk, has forged a deadly partnership with the all-weather season's most prolific trainer Mick Appleby, and also points to the opportunities available at Newcastle as a big factor in his title assault.

"Newcastle has really opened it up for northern jockeys and trainers," he said. "Southwell was our closest all-weather track before but Newcastle is only an hour up the road and I'm lucky to get on a lot of good southern horses when they come up."

Monday's card at Wolverhampton

Curtis has won on Good Effort and Silent Attack in recent days and hopes to ride the pair on All-Weather Finals day at Lingfield on Good Friday on April 10, which is also the final day of the all-weather jockeys' title race.

He has five rides at Wolverhampton on Monday, starting with Where Next Jo in the opening race at 4.20, while Angel Palanas looks most likely to maintain the rider's winning sequence as favourite for the 4.50. His other rides are Almurr (5.20), Star Of Southwold (6.20) and Cape Abel (6.50).

No stranger to globetrotting, the jockey will head out to Dubai to ride the Mick Channon-trained Certain Lad on Thursday in between shifts at Wolverhampton on Wednesday and Newcastle on Friday.

The passport will be needed again next month as Curtis is planning to ride at the richly endowed Saudi Cup meeting on February 29.

"Good Effort is a possible for Saudi Arabia as he might go there before Good Friday. I know Karl Burke is keen on sending out Kelly's Dino as well," Curtis said.

"The prize-money they're putting on is unbelievable and makes it very enticing for trainers to send over runners, which is brilliant."

Ben Curtis career details

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