SKELTON CLOSING IN ON FIRST TITLE

THE bookies reckon Harry Skelton has one hand on a first jockeys’ title after an Ayr double took his lead over champion Brian Hughes to four — 143-139.

Skelton (below) is a 1-10 shot to receive the riders’ crown at Sandown next Saturday after scoring aboard Stepney Causeway and I’d Better Go Now in Scotland, where Hughes drew a blank from seven mounts.

But the 31-year-old is taking nothing for granted.

“It’s going well. I’m getting great support, the horses are running well and I’m very thankful to everybody who has helped me out,” the jockey said last night. “Today was a good day but it’s not over yet. Brian’s a fierce competitor and you’ve got to keep focused.

“Having a lead is certainly helpful, but there is still another week to go and we’ve got plenty to play for.

“There are a lot of races to be ridden in between now and then.

“It’s never over until it’s over and you’ve got to keep pushing right to the end.”

The championship contenders each have five rides at Bangor-On-Dee today, before returning to Ayr for the Coral Scottish Grand National fixture tomorrow — when Hughes has seven mounts to Skelton’s six.