A ’WALKER IN THE PARK!

OISIN MURPHY maintained his lead over William Buick for the

Flat jockeys’ championship despite a heavy fall at Chelmsford last night.

Murphy was fortunate to walk away unscathed after Discover Dubai suffered a fatal injury in the Free Streaming Handicap won by the

Joe Fanning- ridden If You Dare.

Both riders partnered winners, Buick ( Typical Woman) and Murphy (Notions).

Murphy, seeking a third successive title, leads Buick by two winners.

Title

This fascinating duel will go to the wire on Qipco Champions’ Day at Ascot tomorrow.

The pair go head-tohead today at Haydock where Murphy has five rides and Buick eight.

Murphy is 4-7 from 4- 6 to take the title with Paddy Power and Buick priced at 11- 8 from 11-10.

Buick has been in sparkling form, riding a treble at Leicester on Tuesday before adding a Nottingham double on Wednesday and he was first off the mark at Chelmsford, steering Typical Woman to victory in the British Stallion Studs EBF

THE remaining unbeaten runners in the Irish Laurels suffered defeat at Curraheen Park last weekend, which leaves a wide- open complexion as the classic reaches its semi-final stage in Cork tomorrow.

However, still topping the market having chased home Ballymac Fairone in 28.25, Mark O’Donovan’s Skywalker Barry is just 9- 4 and earns a narrow vote.

From trap four, the favourite must return to his best breaking form with Droopys Good and Drahan Jet harbouring smart early pace, along with inside seedings.

An equally daunting challenge presents closer to the rails with TJ Campion’s Lynchy Boy in sparkling form.

The opening semi-final also houses six inside seeded runners with the remaining Liam Dowling hopefuls drawn side-byside following Ballymac

Fairone’s first heat win.

The English Derby Final favourite impressed from the rails pitch then and is back in outright contention, but could hardly have found a tougher draw in trap two.

Defeat

On his right is kennelmate and fellow English Derby finalist Ballymac Wild, who suffered his first defeat of the event behind Epic Hero last time.

The latter Irish

St Leger hero is in trap six and with the sharp Knight Tornado in trap four, it may be prudent to plump for his best drawn kennel companion, Romeo Magico, on the fence.

SELECTIONS:

9.05 Long Santiago; 9.20 Me And Jack; 9.35 Romeo Magico; 9.50 Skywalker Barry