Paul Mulrennan - A Jockey’s Diary: Race for final honours on Knavesmire is looking nip and tuck affair

Under the totting up procedure, I am out of action for eight racing days, although excluded from that is the final racing day of the season at York on Saturday week. I’ll be there because a favourite horse of mine this season, Mass Rally, will be running.

As for my ban, every cloud has a silver lining. The break gives me a chance to take my daughter Scarlett, who is three in December, on a trip to Disneyland Paris. I’m really looking forward to it because it’s been a long old season.

It is getting to the time of year to reflect on the excitements of the season and, on Saturday week, York’s jockeys’ and trainers’ titles will be decided.

While Richard Hughes has all but tied up the national jockeys’ championship, the race for the honours at York is nip and tuck.

My Weighing Room colleague Kieren Fallon is in pole position for the jockeys, level on eight winners with William Buick. The latter took an early lead with a memorable double on the very first day of the season, including The Fugue in the Tattersalls Musidora and a high profile campaign has included Group race wins with Ortensia, Thought Worthy and Times Up in August.

Demonstrating both his talent and his work ethic, Fallon will remember York 2012 for a brace of doubles headlined by Mount Athos in the Listed John Smith’s Silver Cup and a remarkable nine runners-up spots that could yet serve to land him the York crown in the event of a tie.

Yorkshireman-in-exile in Newmarket, William Haggas, is top of the trainers, again with eight winners, one ahead of the Yorkshire duo of Tim Easterby and David O’Meara.

Regular York watchers would expect to see Kevin Ryan (five winners) build on the Ebor successes of top juveniles Blaine and Hototo whilst Richard Fahey (four winners) will not let his title go easily.

The Musley Bank operation has had 10 second places so could mount a last-minute charge.

Later today I am off to Wolverhampton’s all-weather track for the floodlit evening meeting. I have some interesting rides, not least for Frankel’s owner Khalid Abdulla.

He has two horses running which are trained by Amanda Perrett. Neither has won yet, but it might not be long until they are tasting success.

In three races to date, Altaria has filled the runner-up spot. It’s time for a win – and that could come in the 7.15pm race.

Half-an-hour earlier, I am on board Irish raider Alubari, which won at the track a couple of years ago. Dublin trainer Adrian McGuinness had a big winner at The Curragh last Sunday, so, hopefully, his horses are showing the right kind of form.

On my way to Wolverhampton, I will be calling in at Ascot for one ride on Springinmystep in the 2.20pm race. He was mid-division in the York 800 Stakes last month. He’s probably up against it at the moment as he isn’t well handicapped.

The final days of the season on Knavesmire are next Friday and Saturday and it is the course’s richest finale in history with over £250,000 in prize-money up for grabs.

If I had been riding on the Friday at York then I might have been able to grab a few early Christmas presents in the market during the inaugural Countryside Day. There are also displays from both sheepdogs and birds of prey.

I hope that the connections of Mass Rally will be in the money.

Trainer Michael Dods’s five-year-old was last seen out when winning the Ayr Silver Cup for me a fortnight ago – his first win away from all-weather tracks.

He was a narrow second during the Welcome To Yorkshire Ebor Festival. It’s back to York tomorrow week and, hopefully, we’ll get our head in front before the afternoon is out and the Band of the Coldstream Guards Plays Auld Lang Syne in the Parade Ring to round off another racing season at York.

The final two days of the Flat racing season at York Racecourse are Friday and Saturday October 12-13.

The races include the Listed Coral Rockingham Stakes and the Coral Sprint Trophy.

New for 2012 is Countryside Raceday on the Friday with a showcase of rural activity and products.

Admission on Friday is £5, £13 or £24; on Saturday it’s £6, £17 or £28. Group discounts are available booked in advance. Accompanied under-16s are admitted free to all areas. More information at www.yorkracecourse.co.uk or on 01904 620911.