Danny Tudhope - Turf Topics: Hoping to strike gold with Giant's Treasure

I know I am averaging a winner a day, but you will not hear me talking about the Stobart Flat Jockeys’ Championship which started a fortnight ago.

Anything can happen between now and October when the title race ends on QIPCO British Champions Day.

There is a long way to go – the remainder of the season at York for a start where I’ll be aiming to retain my title as champion jockey.

Reigning national champion Silvestre de Sousa is the current favourite to keep his crown. I am at the head of affairs at present, but I wouldn’t turn my mind to it seriously unless I was still top in late July or August.

I have many good horses to ride for David O’Meara and I am getting plenty of opportunities for other trainers, too.

My York winner this week was one of those ‘outside’ rides for Michael Bell.

Main Desire is three out of three for owner and York sponsor Clipper Logistics, for whom I ride many horses.

She already has two Listed victories on Knavesmire to her name and the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot is the target now.

I watched the Betfred Dante from the Weighing Room. I was impressed by Roaring Lion, who is now set for a Derby – either the French or our own; 6-1 seems a fair price to be the 11th colt to do the York-Epsom double.

In all honesty, I have yet to see any horse to challenge Aidan O’Brien’s QIPCO 2000 Guineas winner Saxon Warrior, but history shows that York form should be heeded.

Ballydoyle is also playing a strong hand in the feature race in Britain later today – that’s the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury – the only race in which I am engaged this afternoon.

Suedois also has a bit to find in such a strong field, but he deserves to take his place, especially after strong performances last autumn in Ireland and the United States.

I am back in Yorkshire this evening at Doncaster and tomorrow at Ripon. I will pick out two of my rides. One is Giant’s Treasure, another Clipper Logistics horse, who won on his debut and now makes his first start for David O’Meara in the novice stakes at 7.50pm.

The second is Trading Point, who is two wins from two races in 2018 and could still be ahead of the handicapper in the 3.30pm tomorrow.

At the end of next week, we’re back on Knavesmire for the racecourse’s opening Saturday fixture of the year, which is nicely positioned in the Bank Holiday weekend.

Two races to note are the £50,000 MansionBet Sprint and the brand new Group 3, the Al Basti Bronte Cup, for older female stayers with £90,000 in prize-money.

I hope to be back on that podium!

Advance tickets for York’s meeting next Saturday can be obtained at prices from £21 by logging on at www.yorkracecourse.co.uk or 01904 620911.