Can anyone dethrone Ryan Moore as leading jockey at Royal Ascot?

Ryan Moore has landed eight of the last nine top jockey awards at Royal Ascot and is 8-11 favourite to claim the title for a ninth time.

Surprisingly it took Moore 83 rides and five years to enter the winner's enclosure at the royal meeting. His first winner came aboard Colony in the 2008 King George V Handicap.

More than ten years later and with 53 victories from 281 rides, the 35-year-old rules the roost at Ascot and can look forward to a stellar book of mounts again, including dual 1,000 Guineas heroine Hermosa in the Coronation Stakes, Ten Sovereigns in the Commonwealth Cup and Le Brivido in the Queen Anne.

However, Moore will be seriously challenged for the jockeys' title, and here we take a look at the other riders vying for the throne.

Frankie Dettori – 11-4 (best price)

Racing's greatest showman enjoys nothing more than riding big-race winners in front of the appreciative Ascot crowds and is the go-to man for all the Group 1 contests.

The ebullient Italian teams up with last year's Derby fifth Hazapour in the Queen Anne before partnering American contender Imprimis in the King's Stand. His day one rides also include last year's champion juvenile Too Darn Hot in the St James's Palace Stakes, a race Dettori won last season with Without Parole.

As spare rides go, the ultra consistent Crystal Ocean is not a bad one to pick up and Dettori has been given the task of steering the son of Sea The Stars to his first top-level victory in the Prince of Wales's Stakes.

Then there is the small matter of Stradivarius attempting to defend last year's Gold Cup victory on Thursday, while Sangarius, Advertise and Rawdaa all hold realistic claims in their respective contests.

James Doyle – 6-1

James Doyle will get the leg up on an equally strong book of rides and with William Buick sidelined due to injury has quality and quantity on his side.

His rides include last year's Irish Oaks winner Sea Of Class in the Prince of Wales's, Barney Roy in the Queen Anne, Cross Counter in the Gold Cup and Blue Point in the King's Stand.

Add into the mix Ribblesdale contender Frankellina, 2,000 Guineas third Skardu and King Ottokar, and the 31-year-old looks every bit a leading contender for the top jockey award this year.

Jim Crowley – 20-1

As Hamdan Al Maktoum's retained rider, Jim Crowley has plenty to look forward to at this year's meeting and also has a number of interesting rides outside the familiar blue and white silks.

Mustashry: holds a leading chance in the Queen AnneCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Battaash returned to form with a scintillating victory over Alpha Delphini and Mabs Cross at Haydock and heads to the King's Stand as the 2-1 favourite.

Crowley will also partner Group 1 winner Mustashry, who took his form to another level when winning the Lockinge and is set to line up in the Queen Anne.

Elarqam is another exciting ride in the Sheikh Hamdan colours, while Crowley also picks up the mount on Magic Circle in the Gold Cup and Great Scot in the Hampton Court Stakes.

Silvestre de Sousa – 25-1

King Power Racing have enjoyed a fantastic start to the season and last year's champion jockey has every chance of building on his sixth place in last year's leading rider award.

De Sousa is reunited once again with Group 2 scorer Beat The Bank, who bids to bounce back from a below-par run in the Lockinge, while Fox Champion and Fox Chairman are two exciting types for the rider in the St James's Palace and Hampton Court Stakes.

Queen Power, who skipped the Oaks, has an outstanding chance in the Ribblesdale for Sir Michael Stoute.

Oisin Murphy – 33-1

Qatar Racing's retained rider has ridden 20 winners in the last two weeks and looks to add to his previous successes at the royal meeting with a host of eyecatching rides.

Oisin Murphy: won the Hampton Court Stakes on Benbatl in 2017Credit: Mark Cranham

Matterhorn kicks off proceedings for the young jockey in the Queen Anne, while Guildsman holds every chance in the Coventry following an impressive winning debut at Goodwood earlier this month.

Among Murphy's other rides are the Group 1-placed Veracious in the Duke of Cambridge, Sparkle Roll in the Ribblesdale and Robin Of Navan in the Royal Hunt Cup.

Racing Post experts on the title race . . .

While backing 8-11 shots is not something I'd be keen on doing too often, I do think there is some value in Ryan Moore to be top jockey at that price.

Aidan O'Brien's string are in much better form this season than they were last year and, as the trainer's retained rider, I expect Moore to have lots of winners this meeting.

It's not just O'Brien who provides ammunition as the jockey also has Sir Michael Stoute and Willie Mullins to fall back on in races when he is not riding for Ballydoyle.
Tom Park

Nobody can stop Moore provided Aidan O'Brien has his normal quota of winners and it's possible to argue Moore is value at 8-11.

He looks likely to ride at least three favourites on Tuesday and Magic Wand will be right at the head of the market in the Wolferton too.

If he gets off to a flying start, he will be a lot shorter than the price on offer and I wouldn't be in any hurry to take him on. He is Ryan Moore after all.
Graeme Rodway

I find it difficult to envisage Ryan Moore not earning the top riders' title with so much ammunition throughout the week but Jim Crowley looks a bit overpriced at a general 20-1.

It's not beyond the realms of possibility that the former champion could celebrate an opening day treble with Mustashry in the Queen Anne, Battaash in the King's Stand and Elarqam in the Wolferton.

That could set the tone for a hugely fruitful week for Hamdan Al Maktoum’s retained rider.
Robbie Wilders

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