High-flying Murphy almost home after double puts him three clear of rival Buick

In times of need you find out whom you can rely on. Oisin Murphy and William Buick have contacts in high places but they've been renewing old acquaintances and making new friend requests like never before, desperately trying to find an edge in the final throes of the most compelling of jockeys' title duels.

After further twists and turns – and tumbles in Murphy's case – at Chelmsford the night before, the pair arrive at Haydock with the reigning champ holding a two-winner advantage with two days to go.

In a head-to-head such as this, British Champions Day at Ascot is not the place you want to be relying too heavily on riding winners, which makes this eight-race card all the more crucial.