Hanagan's lead cut as title race heads for photo-finish

The two triumphs kept alive Hughes's own championship hopes and the Irishman has decided to forego his rides at America's prestigious Breeders' Cup meeting so he can take the title race down to the wire at Doncaster this coming Saturday.

Much could depend on the outcome of today's racing; both jockeys are in the process of finalising riding plans for the rest of the week.

Hughes has a stamina-sapping 12 rides today – six at Nottingham before he flies to Kempton's floodlit meeting for the last six races – while Hanagan, 30, has eight rides at the latter venue.

The fact that Newmarket-based Hughes can call upon the services of so many southern trainers is the primary reason why he has been able to make significant inroads into Malton-based Hanagan's lead in recent weeks.

Yet it is testament to Hanagan's horsemanship that Richard Fahey's stable jockey has accumulated 186 winners so far – he only recorded his first ever career century last year – as he bids to become the third Northern rider to be crowned champion in the past 105 years.

"I don't envy these boys. Paul and Richard will be surviving on adrenaline alone," said Kevin Darley, the 2000 champion and the last Northern jockey to win the title.

BIG FELLA THANKS will have his first run for North Yorkshire trainer Ferdy Murphy at Carlisle on Monday.

Last season's Grand National fourth has been with the West Witton handler since leaving the Paul Nicholls stable in the summer. Following the horse's Aintree exploits, Murphy wants the eight-year-old to have an outing over normal fences before his first big target, the Hennessy Gold Cup, at the end of the month.

OUR VIC, the 2006 winner of Wetherby's Charlie Hall Chase, has been retired by trainer David Pipe. The veteran won 14 of his 35 races.

AMERICAIN became the first French-trained winner of the Emirates Melbourne Cup as he powered to victory early yesterday.

Trained by Alain de Royer-Dupre and ridden by Gerald Mosse, the five-year-old showed an excellent turn of foot to emerge a clear winner of the two-mile Group One the home favourite So You Think.

The shortest priced favourite in the race for 39 years, Australia's 'wonderhorse' could only finish third.

WORKFORCE, the red-hot favourite for Saturday's Breeders' Cup Turf, could be withdrawn from the showpiece. Connections of the Sir Michael Stoute-trained Epsom Derby and Arc winner are concerned about the firm going at Churchill Downs, Kentucky,