Oisin Murphy v William Buick: who are they riding and who has the advantage?

William Buick kept up the pressure on Oisin Murphy in the British Flat jockeys' championship with a double at Nottingham on Tuesday, leaving him two behind the reigning champion on 148 winners.

A pair of sprint successes on the George Boughey-trained Zebelle and Mick Appleby-trained Raasel aided Buick in his quest for a maiden title, with Murphy drawing a blank on the card.

After two days together in the Midlands, the pair both travel south to go head-to-head at Chelmsford on Thursday evening when Buick again has a full book of seven rides with Murphy set to partner six.

Buick on the charge as epic title race looks set to go down to the wire

Oisin Murphy

Wins 150
Rides on Thursday 6
Form in last 14 daysWins: 10 Rides: 69 (14 per cent strike-rate)
Odds (4-6f with Paddy Power)

Murphy starts the night in the colours of Alcohol Free's owner Jeff Smith on Single Minded in the opening 1m2f nursery handicap ().

The reigning champion does not have a ride in the second contest but is back in action on the Jamie Osborne-trained Notions, who is bidding to build on a solid second over 6f on debut at Windsor, in the 7f novice ().

Buick may be Godolphin's lead jockey but it's Murphy who lines up in the blue silks in the 7f handicap () with Discover Dubai for Saeed bin Suroor.

He then partners Golden Owl on her all-weather debut in the 7f novice for older horses (7.30) and is back in the Godolphin blue for Dubai Icon in the mile handicap (8.00) before finishing his evening on Grandstand in another mile handicap (8.30).

William Buick

Wins 148
Rides on Wednesday 7
Form in last 14 daysWins: 18Rides: 81(22 per cent strike-rate)
Odds (11-10 with Paddy Power)

Buick has ridden five winners from 19 runners for Newmarket trainer James Tate this year and will hope to increase that record on Alpine Lady in the opener ().

Typical Woman bids for a maiden victory in the mile novice () after an encouraging third at Nottingham last time and Buick then rides a rare Saeed bin Suroor-trained Shadwell runner Ramadhaan in the 7f novice for two-year-olds ().

Riknnah landed a hat-trick for Simon and Ed Crisford during the summer and bids to get back to winning ways in the 7f handicap (), and Buick teams up with the same trainers with hot favourite Lord Lovelace in the 7f novice for older horses () and Far Hope in the mile handicap ().

Buick rounds out his night on recent Lingfield winner Aiguillette (), who was a close third over course and distance last month.

Jockey statistics

Spotlight comments: Chelmsford clashes

5.30 Chelmsford

Buick: Alpine Lady

Bred to be suited by this step up to 1m2f; William Buick booked; one to consider

Murphy: Single Minded

Neck second at Wolverhampton on sole AW start; possibilities back in this sphere

6.00 Chelmsford

Buick: Typical Woman

Close third when front-running at Nottingham (1m); merits plenty of respect

Murphy: no ride

6.30 Chelmsford

Buick: Ramadhaan

Promising third at Haydock; half-sister to useful stablemate Raaeb who is 2-2 here

Murphy: Notions

Encouraging debut behind a useful sort at Windsor two months ago; open to progress

7.00 Chelmsford

Buick: Riknnah

In good hands and still has low mileage, so may yet resume her progress

Murphy: Discover Dubai

Lightly raced 4yo whose novice form has substance; respected on handicap debut

7.30 Chelmsford

Buick: Lord Lovelace

Debut winner at Kempton then posted a very solid effort over this C&D; has strong claims

Murphy: Golden Owl

Runner-up at Chepstow when last seen; further progress is entirely possible; shortlisted

8.00 Chelmsford

Buick: Far Hope

Went very close at Thirsk last time; has low mileage and may rate higher still; respected

Murphy: Dubai Icon

Useful performer who has the ability to play a big role off top weight back in a handicap

8.30 Chelmsford

Buick: Aiguillette

Won at Lingfield (1m, AW) in August; creditable third over C&D on his only start since

Murphy: Grandstand

Inconsistent but he had a win (1m) in September and two seconds in the summer

What the bookies say about Thursday's action

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

Rupert Adams said: "William Buick fired in another double at Nottingham meaning the gap to Oisin Murphy is just two winners. The momentum is very much with Godolphin's retained jockey and it's now 5-6 the pair for the Flat jockeys' championship."

Coral: Oisin Murphy 8-11, William Buick evens

David Stevens said: "Although time is running out for William Buick he continues to narrow the gap on Oisin Murphy, and as a result is now evens – the shortest odds he's ever been – to win a first championship."

Paddy Power: Oisin Murphy 4-6, William Buick 11-10

Paul Binfield said: "This reminds me so much of the titanic struggle between Paul Hanagan and Richard Hughes in 2010 and William has a better book of rides on paper, which raises the very real possibility that he will have drawn level or taken the lead."

Who has the advantage in the title race on Thursday?

Buick seems to really be riding with the bit between his teeth and has three favourites from his seven rides, so could easily draw level and perhaps even pass Murphy on Thursday. Murphy also has some leading chances and will be desperate to deny Buick.
David Baxter, Juvenile Judge

Read these next:

Confirmed runners and riders for the QEII and Champion Stakes – plus a tip

Love misses Champions Day as Aidan O'Brien reroutes Snowfall to Fillies & Mares

Derby hero Adayar gets green light to run in the Champion Stakes on Saturday

Racing Post exclusive offer. New customers can get £30 in free bets. First single & e/w bet only. Odds of 1/1 or greater. 6 x £5 bet token. Free bet stakes not included in returns. Free bets redeemable on horseracing only. Free bets are non-withdrawable. No free bet expiry. Eligibility restrictions. Further T&Cs apply. 18+. begambleaware.org.