Oisin Murphy column: Jockeys' title race hotting up and Ascot chances on Saturday

The jockeys’ title race looks to be warming up but there’s still a couple of frustrations from my point of view.

We’ve now been told November 7 is to be the end date for the championship - Doncaster's afternoon card and not including Chelmsford in the evening - but I don’t see the reason why it has to be pushed back from the original date on Champions Day at Ascot. I don’t know who they discuss these things with.

The three jockeys in question at the moment with a clear title chance are Tom Marquand, William Buick and myself. And it’s likely none of us will even be here for those last 10 days or so. Which is obviously a bit nonsensical.

The November Handicap is a good race and a prestigious event but makes no real difference to us and you’ll have the likes of the Breeders’ Cup, Melbourne Cup and then massive races in Japan – who knows where we’ll be able to travel by then, but we’ll have to see how it unfolds.

I see William is in great form – and travelling to places like Ripon on Thursday which I thought was interesting – and Tom is full of confidence too. I noticed he said in the press that William was his big danger in the jockeys’ championship and not me, which he’s obviously entitled to his opinion on.

The one-meeting-per-day restriction has been slightly frustrating as I’ve discussed before but something that has been a little bit overlooked is the fact that people are saying it’s good for the mental health of jockeys, but I’ve actually ridden more horses this summer that I would normally have done. Is that good for mental health?

In June this year I had 187 competitive rides in total, more than any other year through that same period (2019: 166, 2018: 122, 2017: 77, 2016: 119, 2015: 85, 2014: 108, 2013: 22). So it’s clear I’m getting more rides in terms of quantity, but no doubt less in terms of quality as I can’t go on to another meeting to ride a nice horse at Kempton or Salisbury, for example, for my principal connections like Sheikh Fahad or trainer Saeed bin Suroor. So it’s restricting in that sense.

I know some jockeys are getting more opportunities and that’s great but from my point of view it’s not the best way forward.

On a more positive note, hats off to QIPCO for the announcement regarding prize-money on British Champions Day. Prize-money has been slashed everywhere and it was always going to be down on previous years, but it remains the richest day in British racing with £2.5million available.

Nobody could have seen this pandemic coming, and obviously nobody wanted it, so this is really positive news and I’m sure lots of top horses will show up.

Another subject to pop up this week was the call for the 3lb weight allowance to remain in place beyond the current Covid-19 restrictions.

Personally, I don’t think it can last and I actually think we need saunas back in operation on the racecourse in the near future.

It’s fine at the moment I suppose but the 3lb allowance can’t last forever and saunas being absent from the races can’t last either.

Jockeys have used baths, saunas and other means of losing the odd pound when required for years and I don’t think that needs to change to be honest.

I see it as the media blowing these things out of proportion in truth – I can only imagine they don’t have enough to talk about at the moment.

Fork in the road for Kameko?

I’ve obviously had more time to reflect on Glorious Goodwood and the Qatar Sussex Stakes in particular – which I touched upon last week in the immediate aftermath of the race.

It was one of those things that happens in racing. I’d love to have been drawn seven and not down on the inside but there you go, I can’t go back in time.

Thankfully, Kameko is in great shape since - he’s absolutely bouncing.

A mile and a quarter might suit him well but he’s shown a lot of pace too, especially when winning the Guineas. I think he’s comfortable going a mile but might go a mile and a quarter later on.

I’m going to ride him in a piece of work this Saturday, then the whole team – Sheikh Fahad, Andrew Balding, David Redvers and I - will speak after that. That will probably determine whether we stick to the mile route or aim the horse at the Juddmonte International at York.

Of course I’d love to have another shot at Mohaather. But don’t forget Kameko really wants fast ground so it would be lovely if we ended up having some luck with the weather come October.

Fahey duo worth following

I did enjoy some success at the Qatar Goodwood Festival and it was great to team up with fellow Sporting Life man Richard Fahey on Toro Strike and Ventura Diamond.

Richard normally puts me on winners, he doesn’t put me on horses that can’t win, and I appreciate that.

They’re both nice horses and Toro Strike was clearly in the right race. He bolted up to be honest and looks a horse to follow for the rest of the year, and I loved Ventura Diamond.

She has improved and is a big filly with loads of scope.

Kameko aside, one I’d like to highlight who didn’t quite get the rub of the green is Sir Busker in the Unibet Golden Mile. The eventual winner was just one place in front of me and got the splits, but I got no such luck.

My horse was back in the field but he’s got plenty of quality. That’s the Golden Mile for you - five horses get lucky, five don’t get the splits. Unfortunately I was in the second bracket.

Le Don De Vie is another who still has plenty of upside. That race was a bit of a nightmare as I tracked the favourite and there was an outsider to my outside. The favourite stopped in front and the 20/1 shot effectively put me in a pocket so that was so really annoying.

Hughie (Morrison) was quite confident Le Don De Vie was up to that level despite the fact he’s been beaten in handicaps before. I’d say it wasn’t the strongest Group race so we must bare that in mind, but he’s a talented horse.

I don’t know if he goes to Australia straight away now or hangs around a bit longer. I’m still in two minds about what kind of distance he really wants – he just seems to be getting a little bit faster since his time at Andrew’s.

I won at Newmarket on Withhold, who was well placed by Roger Charlton. I doubt he’ll be going back to Australia as there’s a good staying programme here. He’s a top horse and really effective when he’s on song.

Katara was my other Newmarket winner and I absolutely loved her. I don’t know whether she’ll go for the Park Hill next as a mile and six might stretch her but the dam stayed and I think she will get it.

I haven’t spoken to Sir Michael (Stoute) but she’ll only be my ride if Ryan (Moore) is unavailable.

In France I rode Know It All to be third in the Group One Prix Rothschild for Jonny Murtagh, who is absolutely flying as a trainer now.

She ran a good race with no cover and I think she’s up to this level. I’m not sure what distance is best for her but she’d be a very good ride in the Prix de la Foret with that three-year-old weight allowance.

She’ll probably go to the Matron Stakes next and until they lift this quarantine I won’t be travelling to Ireland to ride her which is annoying.

Jubilation was beaten a length in the Group Three Prix de Cabourg and will be a very valuable filly, she needs to go and break her maiden now to get a win on the board. She’s nice.

Weekend shaping up

I'm at Ascot on Saturday where I'm hopeful of a couple of winners and it'll be great if I can head there after a successful trip to Sandown where I'm on Enemy again.

He’s not quite lived up to expectations and it was very annoying he was beaten last time out. I’m not sure how I’ll ride him but I’d hoped he was going to be a very good horse and John Gosden is very happy with him.

He’ll progress in time but we’d like to see him go and win soon – hopefully it’s at Sandown on Friday.

Daschas delight at Ascot?

Spirit Mixer - 12.40 Ascot

We’re really pleased with this fella and while he’s going to improve a lot from his first run but his work has been nice. He’s still quite babyish but he’s in the right sort of race and we’re hoping he can go well. He’s not as sharp as his dam and he’s a horse who is likely to go on and stay well in the future.

Chil Chil - 1.50 Ascot

King Power have been good to me. I rode three Group winners for them last year and it would be nice to get back on the scoresheet in the blue and white silks here. She would have improved from Bath as she had a long absence before that. She’s training well and I think she might have as good a chance as anything in here.

Cap Francais - 2.25 Ascot

He’s pattern-placed and has a touch of class. He’s a big Frankel and won well with Andrea (Atzeni) on at Haydock two starts ago. I will probably try and ride him like he did and he’s not out of things in this race at all.

Diocletian - 3.00 Ascot

I didn’t feel Sandown went well last time as he jumped slowly and got behind, from which point I was struggling. He needs to relax and for things to drop right.

Medal Winner - 3.35 Ascot

It’s nice to see the top ones didn’t declare and the weights have gone up 4lb from the initial entries. He was a bit disappointing at Ayr but wants decent ground. I’ve a high opinion of the horse and I’d have thought he’ll be there or thereabouts.

Bronze River - 4.10 Ascot

He won twice on the all-weather but hasn’t clicked on turf yet. He’s a bit funny as he pulls hard to post then doesn’t pull in the race but he’s capable. Andrew’s horses are healthy and running well, they’re just not winning at the moment. But it will definitely turn around.

Daschas - 4.45 Ascot

I think we bumped into a progressive horse in Wonderwork at Windsor last time. Andrea bagged the rail, went quickly and didn’t stop. Daschas is well treated, clearly fit and ready, and I’d rate him as my best Saturday ride.

Jet set for Irish test

The Lir Jet is going to run in the Group One Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh on Sunday but with the current rules I won’t be travelling and Ben Coen is going to take the ride.

So it’s a great opportunity for him and Sheikh Fahad obviously likes to support these young, up-and-coming jockeys.

The horse came out of France really well and I don’t think I made enough use of him on the day. This looks a good race for him and it was (assistant trainer) Nick Bell’s idea to aim him here.

So hopefully he goes there with every chance. I was impressed with Steel Bull the other day at Goodwood and Ventura Tormenta is reopposing so it’s a good race.

I’d be hopeful The Lir Jet can bounce straight back as the plan would be to make the most of him given he’s quite a solid, well-made two-year-old with a great mind already. It’s been mentioned the Nunthorpe could come onto the radar but we’ll see how he goes at the weekend before discussing anything further.

I’m likely to be heading to Windsor on Sunday but I’ll definitely be keeping an eye on The Lir Jet from afar.

More from Oisin Murphy

• Goodwood Festival: Days 3, 4 & 5
• Goodwood Festival: Days 1 & 2
• Column 18: King George weekend
• Column 17: Mount Rushmore
• Column 16: Major Threat
• Column 15: Highest ambition
• Column 14: D-Day for Kameko
• Column 13: Awesome chance
• Royal Ascot: Day five rides
• Royal Ascot: Day four rides
• Royal Ascot: Day three rides
• Royal Ascot: Day two rides
• Royal Ascot: Day one rides
• Column Seven: Kameko all class
• Column Six: A Classic weekend
• Column Five: Racing resumption
• Column Four: Sticky situations
• Column Three: Oisin Murphy's favourite horses
• Column Two: Oisin Murphy's 2020 vision
• Column One: Getting to know Oisin Murphy