Oisin Murphy v William Buick: title challenger faces difficult task on final day

With the gap between Oisin Murphy and William Buick now sitting at three after the action at Haydock on Friday, the race to be crowned British Flat jockeys' champion draws to a close at Ascot on Saturday.

Both jockeys ride their two best horses of the year – Alcohol Free for Murphy in the QEII and Derby winner Adayar for Buick in the Champion Stakes – alongside a host of other top-class mounts, although Buick has five rides to Murphy's four.

Oisin Murphy now 1-40 to take jockeys' title after vital Haydock double

Oisin Murphy

Wins 153
Rides on Saturday 4
Form (last 14 days) Wins: 20 Rides: 85 (24 per cent)
Odds 1-40 (Paddy Power)

The reigning champion begins his afternoon with a great chance of claiming a fourth Group 1 of the season on Dragon Symbol in the Champions Sprint (). Murphy suffered the agony of having the Commonwealth Cup taken away from Dragon Symbol in the stewards' room and he has continued to run well in the top sprints since then.

If Murphy is to get a winner in the next he will have to overcome the challenge of dominant Oaks winner and strong favourite Snowfall in the Fillies & Mares Stakes (2.35), in which he rides Park Hill fifth Tribal Craft for Andrew Balding and Jeff Smith.

He is then reunited with Sussex Stakes and Coronation Stakes winner Alcohol Free in the QEII (3.10). Her stamina was stretched in the Juddmonte International last time out, but a return to a mile is sure to suit the three-year-old filly.

Murphy partners topweight Sir Busker in the Balmoral Handicap (4.30), after which he could lift a third straight jockeys' title.

William Buick

Wins 150
Rides on Saturday 5
Form (last 14 days) Wins: 13 Rides: 70 (19 per cent)
Odds 10-1 (Paddy Power)

Buick has one extra ride on the card than his rival, but he may find it difficult to make that advantage count when he opens the afternoon on Roberto Escobarr in the Long Distance Cup (1.25). The William Haggas-trained four-year-old will likely need to post a career-best effort to threaten Trueshan and Stradivarius.

A better opportunity may lie in the Champions Sprint () in which Buick partners Group 3 winner Creative Force, who has gone close in a series of Britain's top sprints since racking up a four-timer in the spring.

After a break during the Fillies & Mares Stakes, Buick is back in action on 2,000 Guineas runner-up Master Of The Seas against heavyweight milers Palace Pier and Baaeed in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (3.10).

He remains in the Godolphin blue for his star ride of the day on Derby and King George hero Adayar in the Champion Stakes (3.50).

Buick's last chance of the season comes on the Ed Walker-trained Matthew Flinders in the Balmoral Handicap (4.30), after which both jockeys will surely breath a sigh of relief at the conclusion of a manic and breathless title race.

The Punt Daily: Tom Collins' free horse racing tips on Champions Day

Spotlight comments: final-day clashes at Ascot

1.25 Ascot

Buick: Roberto Escobarr

Having a solid season (2m latest) but this demands far more of him; headgear first time

Murphy: no ride

2.00 Ascot

Buick: Creative Force

Won 7f Jersey here in June; strong-finishing 5th in the July Cup; interesting back here

Murphy: Dragon Symbol

Very reliable in Group company at 6f, including when demoted to second over C&D in June

2.35 Ascot

Buick: no ride

Murphy: Tribal Craft

1m6f and soft ground would suit; even then she has her work cut out at this level

3.10 Ascot

Buick: Masters Of The Seas

Went close in 2,000 Guineas; third to Benbatl last time; still open to further progress

Murphy: Alcohol Free

Successful in this year's Coronation Stakes and Sussex Stakes; possibilities back over 1m

3.50 Ascot

Buick: Adayar

Derby and King George winner; Arc didn't go his way; leading claims if at his best

Murphy: no ride

4.30 Ascot

Buick: Matthew Flinders

Quite tempting odds, as he was 7-1 second favourite for the Hunt Cup on sole C&D run

Murphy: Sir Busker

Record of 1433 over this C&D, including Group 1 efforts; frame possibilities back here

What the bookies say about Saturday's action

Paddy Power: Oisin Murphy 1-40, William Buick 10-1

Paul Binfield said: "It's been a truly valiant fight by William, but realistically he had to close the gap on Friday and while he does go into the final day mathematically still able to topple Oisin, it'll take more than a bit of doing."

Saturday's race previews:

1.25 Ascot: Stradivarius and Trueshan take to the stage again in classy Champions Day opener

2.00 Ascot: 'He does everything easily' – Starman absence means sprint crown is up for grabs

2.35 Ascot: 'She'll be difficult to beat' – can Snowfall bounce back to her best at Ascot?

3.10 Ascot: Palace Pier v Baaeed: 'It looks the hottest QEII I've seen in a while'

3.50 Ascot: Champion Stakes: Appleby, Gosden and Haggas on their leading Group 1 contenders

4.30 Ascot: which of the Gosden pair might prevail in a competitive running of the Balmoral?

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