Richard Hughes – 25/1 to be leading jockey
THE fifth and final day of what has been a fabulous Royal Ascot begins with an intriguing contest for leading jockey. Joseph O’Brien, James Doyle and Johnny Murtagh all have three winners apiece while Ryan Moore is on two winners.
The current betting has O’Brien at a top priced even money, Moore at 5/2, Murtagh on 8’s and Doyle at 10/1. If the number of winners is a tie, the system of counback is used and O’Brien has three seconds while the other three jockeys are currently on one apiece.
There is a marked discrepancy however in the number and quality of today’s booked rides. Johnny Murtagh, who rides Ascot so well, only has two rides although they do include Thomas Chippendale for Lady Cecil in the Hardwick Stakes and the more rain, the better for his mount. The Ballydoyle jockey also only has two rides, the better of which appears to be Friendship in the opener, the Chesham.
James Doyle has four rides, all relative outsiders but Ryan Moore has a full book of rides including the favourites, Duke of Firenze in the Wokingham and Rye House in the Duke of Edinburgh.
Maybe someone will come from way off the pace, such as Richard Hughes, currently on one winner but who has five rides including the favourite Bunker in the Chesham. If he wins the first race on the card, the top priced 25/1 will shorten drastically.
I think young Joseph O’Brien is still in the driving seat as although it is quite likely Ryan Moore will draw level on wins, the Irishman still has the upper hand on number of seconds.
Whatever the outcome, the last day is sure to provide more twists and turns on what has been a fabulous and at times very emotional week’s racing.
