Published: Friday, 3rd October, 2008 12:24pm

Smullen still in hunt as flat jockey race hots up

Offaly jockey Pat Smullen is still in the hunt to retain his crown Irish Champion Flat Jockey crown as the race enters the final ten weeks of the season.

Johnny Murtagh holds a narrow lead, just one ahead of Fran Berry and three up on Pat Smullen. At the time of going to press, Johnny Murtagh had recorded 73 wins and Fran Berry 72 wins, with Smullen just two further back on the 70 winner mark.

Last year"s Champion Flat Jockey Pat Smullen will no doubt be going all out to defend his title as the Rhode native bids to become Champion for the fifth occasion in his career. For his part, Murtagh is trying to claim it for the fourth time and record his first win since 1998. Fran Berry would be lifting the crown for the first time if successful. Smullen landed the Derrinstown Derby Trial on Casual Conquest, while Caribbean Sunset has been a fine servant notching up three Pattern race wins.

Murtagh has enjoyed a dream start to his career as number one jockey to the powerful Aidan O"Brien stable with Classic successes on Henrythenavigator (Irish 2000 Guineas) and Moonstone (Irish Oaks) the highlights of his season in Ireland.