Oisin Murphy v William Buick: title race heads to Haydock on crucial day

The race between Oisin Murphy and William Buick in the British Flat jockeys' championship remained neck and neck with both riders landing winners at Chelmsford on Thursday evening.

A success on the Ian Williams-trained Typical Woman drew Buick to within touching distance of his rival as he seeks a first jockeys' title, but Murphy hit back with a success of his own to take his tally to 151 winners to Buick's 149.

The pair head to the north west to face each other again at Haydock for the penultimate day in the title race with Buick once again having a full book of eight rides, while Murphy only has five.

Oisin Murphy remains two clear of William Buick with two days to go

Oisin Murphy

Wins 151
Rides on Friday 5
Odds 4-7f (Paddy Power)

Murphy's mounts on Merseyside do not begin until the third race when he partners outsider Beyond Equal, who boasts previous course-and-distance-winning form, in the 6f handicap (2.20).

The reigning champion then sits out the fourth race but is back in the saddle for division two of the mile novice (3.30) on the John and Thady Gosden-trained Magisterial, who was fourth on his debut at Newmarket last month.

He then rides for his retainers Qatar Racing aboard Twisted Reality in the feature mile handicap (4.05) before partnering recent Redcar fourth Superior Force in the 7f nursery (4.40).

However, his leading and most crucial chance to try to maintain his lead could come in the finale, in which the topweight Whitehaven could start as favourite for the 2m handicap (5.10).

William Buick

Wins 149
Rides on Friday 8
Odds 11-8 (Paddy Power)

Buick has two golden chances to eat away at Murphy's slender lead at the top while his rival spends the early part of the afternoon on the sidelines and while he has yet to ride a winner for Darryll Holland in four attempts, that could change with recent Bath scorer Suanni in the opening 5f nursery (1.15).

Buick has also never ridden a winner for Tom Dascombe and he teams up with the Cheshire-based trainer for just the seventh time on the improving Noteable in the 6f fillies' novice (1.45).

The jockey then gets the leg up aboard the consistent Chairmanoftheboard in the 6f handicap (2.20) before he returns to the familiar blue Godolphin silks on Mythical Dancer in division one of the mile novice (2.55).

Buick partners the well-bred debutant Kaasirr for Simon and Ed Crisford in the second division of the mile novice (3.30) before teaming up with David Barron with course-and-distance winner Poet's Lady (4.05), who scored on her last start at Beverley in May.

He rounds out the day with two well-fancied mounts, starting with Dukedom in the 7f nursery (4.40) before finishing on the Karl Burke-trained Socially Shady in the concluding 2m handicap (5.10).

Murphy v Buick: who has the advantage as the championship reaches a climax?

Spotlight comments: Haydock clashes

1.15 Haydock

Buick: Suanni

Made all for clearcut success at Bath on nursery debut; William Buick booked; respected

Murphy: no ride

1.45 Haydock

Buick: Noteable

Clear second at Chester last month; open to further progress; big player

Murphy: no ride

2.20 Haydock

Buick: Chairmanoftheboard

Running into top form; shade unlucky at York last time; William Buick booked; respected

Murphy: Beyond Equal

Consistent this season but ideally needs drying ground (all wins on good/faster)

2.55 Haydock

Buick: Mythical Dancer

Scored at Thirsk on the first of his two 7f starts; should be suited by 1m; major player

Murphy: no ride

3.30 Haydock

Buick: Kaasirr

Dark Angel colt; needs a very close look on debut, with William Buick booked

Murphy: Magisterial

Frankel colt; very promising fourth at Newmarket on debut; should progress; respected

4.05 Haydock

Buick: Poet's Lady

Both wins, including latest start, were on soft and top four RPRs were on softer than good

Murphy: Twisted Reality

Four starts; needs good deal better than latest; back to 1m from 1m4f is of uncertain benefit

4.40 Haydock

Buick: Dukedom

Ran well in 1m Newmarket maiden latest but seemed to crack late on; 7f for nursery debut

Murphy: Superior Force

Needs a return to his early soft-ground best on this move up to 7f for his third nursery

5.10 Haydock

Buick: Socially Shady

Not the most reliable but close third of five at Ayr on latest start (Haveyoumissedme second)

Murphy: Whitehaven

Goes well in the mud; pipped over 1m6f last time and 2m now looks worth the attempt

What the bookies say about Friday's action

Coral: Oisin Murphy 4-7, William Buick 5-4

David Stevens said: "Oisin Murphy will head into the penultimate day of this season's British Flat jockeys' title race with a lead of two, ensuring he remains favourite to win a third successive championship, but the odds suggest William Buick still has every chance of being crowned champion for a first time."

Paddy Power: Oisin Murphy 4-7, William Buick 11-8

Paul Binfield said: "Jockeys are masters of precision timing and while most of this week it's looked like William was timing his title challenge perfectly, a score draw tonight means we now feel Oisin is one step closer to securing his championship hat-trick."

William Hill: Oisin Murphy 8-13, William Buick 6-5

Rupert Adams said: "We end as we begun in the British Flat jockeys' championship with Oisin Murphy leading William Buick by just two winners. Although Buick is riding in all eight races at Haydock, with Murphy in action in five, we make the Irishman the 8-13 favourite for the title with Buick a 6-5 chance."

Who has the advantage in the title race on Friday?

There is little doubt now that the title will go down to the wire on Qipco British Champions Day, which will be an incredibly fitting addition to such a top-class meeting, and it is very possible the final day could prove to be the key to who lifts the title.

It is hard to seperate who has the better book of mounts at Haydock on Friday, with both partnering short-priced favourites who look to have golden chances.. However, as Buick will know from Chelmsford, they are not certainties.

I expect the race to go into the final day with either the gap remaining the same or Buick edging slightly closer, and with his quality book of rides at Ascot now headlined by Adayar the challenger still has every chance of overhauling the deficit.
Matt Rennie, reporter

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