How Sunday's action could impact the jump jockeys' championship

There is no rest for the wicked after a thrilling three days at Aintree, and it is back to business for 2021 jump jockeys' championship contenders Brian Hughes and Harry Skelton, with the battle set to go right to the wire.

Skelton enjoyed a brace of Grade 1 victories on Merseyside for his brother, Dan, but Hughes was able to draw clear – albeit narrowly – at the top of the standings with a treble at Sedgefield on Friday.

With under two weeks left to go the gap stands at two with both jockeys in action today.

Brian Hughes

Wins: 137
Rides today: 6
Form in last 14 days: 11 wins from 56 rides
Current title odds: 10-11 (William Hill)

Hughes seized the opportunity to gain an advantage over his rival when avoiding day two of the Grand National meeting and duly delivered with a treble at Sedgefield. Just how crucial could that prove to be?

The reigning champion jockey heads to another of his familiar stomping grounds in the north on Sunday with a strong book of six rides at Kelso.

His standout chance comes in the first race, with Presentandcounting long odds-on to win the 2m2f novice hurdle (2.00) for boss Donald McCain.

His next best ride bookends the card in the bumper (5.11), as the John Quinn-trained Well Educated bids to go one better after finishing second at Newcastle in December.

That is not to say the rest of Hughes' four rides are not without hope, with all of them available at single-figure odds. Wakool (2.31), Beat Box (3.05), the once-classy Mount Mews (3.36) and Prince Khurram (4.10) all have good form in the book.

Sunday cards and betting

Harry Skelton

Wins: 135
Rides today: 6
Form in last 14 days: 15 wins from 53 rides
Current title odds: 5-6 (William Hill)

Skelton has been relishing the role of the challenger with a host of winners and healthy 28 per cent strike-rate over the last two weeks, and his journey south could be vindicated with six good rides at Plumpton.

Skelton will likely get the leg up on four favourites, with Gylo (2.15), Aheadfullofdreams (2.45), Cold Shoulder (4.25) and Grangeclare Knight (5.30) all short prices to deliver.

The strongest of those chances looks to be the Dan Skelton-trained Aheadfullofdreams, who was an impressive winner at the track just six days ago.

His other two rides, Mistersister (3.20) and Presenting Yeats (3.50), are by no means rank outsiders, but with those four short-priced fancies it would be no shock if there was another twist in the title race come Sunday evening.

Read more:

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