Final countdown: Colin Keane and Billy Lee's title fight rolls on to Galway

Galway's eight-race card on Monday marks one of the final stops on Colin Keane and Billy Lee's long-running Irish Flat jockeys' championship journey, with just four meetings remaining

Latest standings

Both Colin Keane and Billy Lee drew a blank from their book of rides at Dundalk on Friday night meaning the scoreline remains 89-88 in favour of Lee.

The championship leader's hopes of lifting a first title likely rests on the outcome of an appeal against a six-day whip suspension picked up at Dundalk on October 21, which will be heard on Wednesday.

Unless his ban is lifted, he looks set to be ruled out of the final two days of the season, at Dundalk on November 4 and Naas on November 6.

How do bookmakers price up the title?

Lee's championship odds tightened fractionally to 13-8 (from 7-4) with Paddy Power after both riders came away empty-handed from Dundalk, while Keane remains the firm favourite at 4-9 (from 2-5).

Billy Lee: 13-8 to win his first Irish Flat jockeys' championshipCredit: Patrick McCann

Keane started the season as a 1-12 shot, while Lee was available to back at 50-1.

Who are they riding at Galway on Monday?

Lee will be involved in all eight races, while Keane heads to Ballybrit for seven rides.

According to the Racing Post's betting forecast, Lee could have six mounts at single-figure prices compared to Keane's three.

Colin Keane's rides and predicted odds

12.40 Paris Secret (20-1)
1.10 High Altitude (12-1)
1.40 The Snapper (10-1)
2.15 Snow Lion (25-1)
2.50 Wee Pablo (7-1)
4.00 Fair Damsel (4-1)
4.35 Mr Mills (17-2)

Billy Lee's rides and predicted odds

12.40 Ruler Of The River (100-1)
1.10 Starting Monday (8-1)
1.40 Samantha Maguire (6-1)
2.15 Racing Royalty (7-1)
2.50 Petticoat Rule (12-1)
3.25 Tourgar Raude (8-1)
4.00 Astrophysicist (8-1)
4.35 Rock On Seamie (9-1)

Who are Keane and Lee's best chances?

Samantha Maguire in the 7f nursery (1.40) looks to be one of Lee's best chances of a winner but Starting Monday, trained by the rider's sister Gillian Scott, has plenty in his favour in the 1m½f handicap (1.10).

Keane's leading chances appear to lie at the end of the card. He could go close on the Dick Brabazon-trained Fair Damsel in the first division of the 1m4f handicap (4.00).

Colin Keane: seeking his fourth Irish Flat jockeys' titleCredit: Patrick McCann

Brabazon said: "We think this trip and ground should suit. She's been a slow learner but Colin finished second on her at Thurles last time when she ran well.

"When you get this late in the season it can be a bit of a lottery with horses, but if she reproduces her Thurles run we'd give her a chance."

Wee Pablo is another live contender for Keane in the 7f handicap (2.50) and his trainer Pat Martin said: "He ran well last time and I hope this will suit him but he's been drawn wider than ideal [in stall 16].

Form figures for their last 20 rides

Billy Lee 20281165610652022707 (three winners)
Colin Keane 13119008708090306535 (three winners)

Galway card and betting

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