Slattery and Orr set for final day battle for apprentice championship at Naas

Donnacha O'Brien will be crowned Irish champion Flat jockey for the second time at Naas on Sunday afternoon but it is still all to play for in the race for the apprentices' title.

Andy Slattery leads former champion apprentice Oisin Orr by two winners and has emerged as one of the hottest young prospects in the weighing room, but is not taking anything for granted.

"It's funny, I had no interest in horses whatsoever until I was 14," said Slattery, who has ridden 43 winners in Ireland this season. "I actually wanted to be a footballer when I was younger but I realised that wasn’t going to happen when I stopped growing! It’s been an unbelievable season, riding winners for Mr Stack and Mr Weld along with my father.

"It’s hard to put into words how good the year has been. Regardless of whether I win the championship it’s been a season to remember, but it'll be a big ask for Oisin to ride a treble and beat me."

Oisin Orr is two winners behind Andy Slattery heading into the Flat finale at NaasCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Orr, who captured the apprentice title two seasons ago, has also benefited from the backing of Dermot Weld this season, having ridden 19 of his 41 winners for the trainer.

The Donegal native has seven rides throughout the afternoon but is realistic about his chances of catching Slattery.

He said: "We’ll give it a go. It's been an amazing year – largely down to the backing of Mr Weld. Without him I'd be lost, really."

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