BUICK TITLE CHARGE
Punters put faith in William
PUNTERS are piling on William Buick to become champion jockey – despite him starting an 11-day whip ban.
Buick, runner-up behind Oisin Murphy last year, banged in a treble at Lingfield on Monday and was backed from 13-8 to 11-8 to take the title this year.
Murphy, who was six winners adrift before racing took place last night, is even-money favourite with Coral.
With huge support from Charlie Appleby, Buick has enjoyed a phenomenal run of 15 winners in the last fortnight but the 32-year-old is currently suspended. Buick was slapped with an 11-day ban and fined £1,150 for his use of the whip when successful on Reshoun at Royal Ascot on June 15.
Godolphin’s number one rider, fresh from winning the Irish Derby on Hurricane Lane on Saturday, admits despite having pocketed numerous Classics, that include two victories in the Derby and one in the St Leger, he craves for championship recognition.
“It’s no secret that it’s a big ambition of mine and I’ll be giving it my best shot,” he said.
“I’ve come close a couple of times, without quite threatening, but I’ve never before put my heart and soul into chasing it as much as you need to.
“Last year I learned a lot chasing Oisin and I’ve hopefully taken a lot of positives out of the experience.
“I kept my head down and kept trying, and I got almost within touching distance. But I was under no illusions about how hard it was going to be chasing winners towards the end of the season.”
Coral’s latest betting for the Flat Jockeys’ Championship – Evens Oisin Murphy, 11-8 William Buick, 7-2 Tom Marquand, 25 Hollie Doyle, Ben Curtis, 40 Bar.