Kieren Fallon: William Buick the one to beat but watch out for Hollie Doyle

Former multiple champion jockey Kieren Fallon believes Hollie Doyle will pose the biggest threat to odds-on favourite William Buick in the British Flat jockeys' title race.

The championship starts on Saturday and runs through to British Champions Day on October 15 and Buick is quoted at 2-5 to get his hands on the trophy for the first time.

Last year the Norwegian?born jockey, 33, took the title race down to the last day, but for the second successive campaign finished second to Oisin Murphy, who will sit out the entire year through suspension.

While Fallon, who won the title six times, is backing Buick to prevail, he is not expecting the race to be as one-sided as the betting suggests.

"It won't be plain sailing like some people are saying and while I think William Buick will win, I think Hollie Doyle will push him all the way," he said.

Fallon expects Hollie Doyle to push odds-on championship favourite William BuickCredit: Getty Images

"She looks like she's got her head down already and has a lot of support. While William is going to the bigger meetings, Hollie will be going to the lesser ones to pick up better rides. I think she'll keep William on his toes, anyway."

Fallon, who gets to see Buick on a regular basis in his role as work-rider for Charlie Appleby, senses a hunger for the title in the Godolphin rider.

William Buick: 'It doesn't change anything for me - I know so much still needs to go right' (£)

"You need a good stable behind you and you need to want it more than anyone else and watching William the last couple of seasons, he really wants it," Fallon said. "It will be very hard to beat him because of the firepower he has, although staying injury-free and out of the stewards' room are the hardest things."

Doyle is a best-priced 14-1 shot for the title with William Hill behind husband Tom Marquand (5-1) and three-time winner Silvestre de Sousa (9-1), while David Probert, who has ridden the most Flat winners in Britain so far this year, is available at 12-1.

British Flat jockeys' championship

William Hill: 4-11 William Buick, 5 Tom Marquand, 9 Silvestre de Sousa, 12 David Probert, 14 Hollie Doyle, 25 bar

Read these next:

How Sam Waley-Cohen was prepared to quit his job to pursue Grand National dream

Help or hindrance: what do the stats say about Godolphin pair's extreme draws?

2022 Qipco 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket: the runners, the odds, the verdict

Sign up now. Place your first bet on racing pools for a minimum of £10 and win or lose you will receive £30 in Tote Credit, redeemable against racing bets only. Tote Credit cannot be withdrawn, exchanged or substituted and expires after seven days. Qualifying bet is the first racing pool bet added to the betslip. Ten to Follow, virtual and football bets do not qualify. Totewin will be the qualifying bet when a Totewin and a Toteplace bet are struck at the same time. New UK & ROI customers only. 18+. Full T&Cs apply. begambleaware.org.