RACING: Pat Smullen's recent winning streak has taken him to within three winners of Michael Kinane in the jockeys' championship and he is now odds-on to retain his title.
Smullen edged out Kinane and John Murtagh in an epic struggle last year to win his second championship.
During the summer, 11-time champion Kinane led by as many as 16 winners but Smullen has dragged himself back into contention with Murtagh snapping at both their heels.
The current score is Kinane on 58, Smullen on 55 and Murtagh on 50. But Smullen's determination to retain the crown is obvious from his weekend schedule.
The 25-year-old rider could be at Newbury on Saturday where Agnetha has been lined up for the Group Three Dubai Duty Free Cup.
He will fly to New York on Sunday morning for Jazz Beat in a Grade Two at Belmont Park that night, but returns Monday morning for the start of the Listowel Festival.
"That's how seriously I'm taking it," Smullen said yesterday.
"I must admit, I thought it was over but the Ballydoyle horses went out of form and our horses came in to form, so it will be all go now to try and tag Mick back.
"Johnny is there too just behind and there's great banter between the three of us about it.
"I'll be abroad a lot more until the end of the season, but so will the others, and I'll be giving it everything."
The jockeys' title traditionally does not carry the same kudos as in Britain but the current holder doesn't underestimate its importance.
"The big races are important. The two winners at the weekend (Vinnie Roe in the Irish St Leger and Refuse To Bend in the National Stakes) are what it is all about. But no jockey will tell you the championship is not important," Smullen said.
He is a 4 to 6 favourite with Cashmans to win out with Kinane on 6 to 4 and Murtagh the outsider on 7 to 1.
There are six races up for grabs for the contenders at Fairyhouse this afternoon where the feature is the Tattersalls Open Race.
Kinane is on Oh So Rosie for Berkshire-based Stan Moore who said yesterday: "She is a tough little thing whose form is solid but we are a little concerned about fast ground."
A quick surface is almost guaranteed and as a result the Windsor and Leicester winner could be vulnerable.
Moore also runs Molly Monash but Colemanstown, who made his debut only last Thursday, could be a value alternative.
Kinane is likely to make his presence felt. The course and distance winner Spring Clean is top of the Nursery but should still be hard to beat while Kinane looks the man to finally get The Flying Pig's head in front in the 0-50 handicap.
Legion Of Honour, denied a run at Gowran yesterday, is the Ballydoyle newcomer in the nine-furlong maiden but the flattering Revue may be the answer to this.
