Colin Keane and Billy Lee's championship hopes in focus before key Dundalk card

With just five meetings to go until the conclusion of the Irish Flat season, Billy Lee and Colin Keane's jockeys' title battle looks set to go right down to the wire, with a crucial fixture at Dundalk on Friday.

Latest standings

There has been little between the pair of world-class riders throughout the 2022 campaign and Billy Lee leads by the narrowest of margins after a winner at the Curragh on Wednesday made it 89-88.

However, Lee's title hopes could hinge on the outcome of an appeal against a six-day whip suspension incurred last week at Dundalk.

As it stands, he will miss the final two days of the season, at Dundalk on November 4 and Naas on November 6, unless he is successful. The appeal is expected to be heard before racing next Wednesday.

How do bookmakers price up the title?

Layers had viewed the tussle as practically a done deal on October 16 when Colin Keane went four clear with a winner at Naas. The reigning champion was priced up at 1-8 to collect his third title then, but Lee has since fought his way back into contention.

Billy Lee: enters Friday's card at Dundalk as a 7-4 chance for the Irish Flat jockeys' titleCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Despite trailing by one, Keane remains the 2-5 favourite for title honours with Paddy Power as layers factor in Lee's impending ban.

Lee, who started the season as a 50-1 shot, is now 7-4 to win his first championship. The season ends at Naas on Sunday, November 6.

Who are they riding at Dundalk on Friday?

Keane heads to Ireland's only all-weather venue for six rides, while Lee has five opportunities. According to the Racing Post's Spotlight team, Keane could have five mounts at single-figure prices compared to Lee's four.

Colin Keane's rides and predicted odds

4.55 Las Cuatro (5-2)
5.30 Adam's Angel (11-2)
6.00 Warrior Brave (16-1)
6.30 Nel (5-1)
7.00 Bucky Larson (13-2)
8.30 Sheishybrid (8-1)

Billy Lee's rides and predicted odds

4.55 Smullen's Pride (9-2)
5.30 Tai Sing Yeh (9-2)
6.00 Mickey The Steel (11-2)
7.00 Barbapapa (20-1)
8.30 Fascinating Shadow (7-1)

What are Keane and Lee's best chances?

It will be intriguing to see how the Ger Lyons-trained Las Cuatro fares on her debut in the opening 5f maiden (4.55) for Keane, but his best chance could come in the concluding 1m4f handicap (8.30) aboard Sheishybrid, representing Noel Meade.

A decisive winner of the Ulster Cesarewitch two starts ago before disappointing over hurdles, she looks a major player if she is back to her best.

Colin Keane: remains favourite to win the jockeys' titleCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

As for Lee, Tai Sing Yeh must have a big chance of making it back-to-back wins in the 5f handicap (5.30), after striking in good style here under the same rider last week.

Tai Sing Yeh's trainer James McAuley said: "After the ride Billy gave this horse last week we couldn't think of taking him off the horse – he was superb.

"We're turning him out quickly because he won't be able to run in this grade after tonight. It doesn't look the deepest of races so hopefully he should take a bit of beating."

Form figures for title fighters' last 20 rides

Billy Lee 17430202811656106520 (four winners)
Colin Keane 36900713119008708090 (three winners)

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Billy Lee leads Colin Keane 89-88 as jockeys' championship nears its climax

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