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Oisin Murphy keeps championship lead but evening marred by fatality

Oisin Murphy maintained his two-win lead over William Buick in the race for the Flat jockeys’ championship after a seven-race card at Chelmsford City on Thursday, although the evening was marred by a fall for the reigning champion when Discover Dubai, Murphy’s ride in the fourth race, suffered a fatal injury on the home turn.

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Murphy walked away unscathed after being thrown from Discover Dubai, who fell heavily after breaking down two furlongs out. The champion for the last two seasons had earlier exchanged winners with Buick, who is hoping to be crowned champion jockey for the first time.

Buick came home in front on Typical Woman, a 9-1 shot, in a novice event while Murphy then steered the 11-8 favourite, Notions, to a comfortable success in the third race on the card.

The betting suggested that Buick would move to within a winner of Murphy in the fifth race on the card, as his mount, Lord Lovelace, was long odds-on at 2-9. The favourite weakened inside the final furlong, however, as Under The Twilight, at 9-1, stayed on well to register a comfortable win.

Redcar: 1.00 Rosie’s Return, 1.30 Cotai Class, 2.05 Baileys Accolade, 2.40 Mr Curiosity, 3.15 Oheka, 3.50 King Of Tonga, 4.25 Cape Sunset, 4.55 Mac Ailey.

Haydock: 1.15 Texas Man (nap), 1.45 Sky Blue Pink, 2.20 Chairmanoftheboard (nb), 2.55 Paradias, 3.30 Magisterial, 4.05 Ffion, 4.40 Hollow Steel, 5.10 Wynford.

Fakenham: 1.38 Italian Spirit, 2.13 Howdyalikemenow, 2.48 Go Millie Go, 3.23 Midnight Jewel, 3.58 Minella Encore, 4.33 Cremant.

Uttoxeter: 1.55 Geromino, 2.30 Lord Accord, 3.05 Bannixtown Glory, 3.40 No No Maestro, 4.15 Orchard Grove, 4.50 Lady Excalibur.

Newcastle: 5.00 Innse Gall, 5.30 Clotherholme, 6.00 Peripeteia, 6.30 Delahoussaye, 7.00 Hurstwood, 7.30 One For The Ladies, 8.00 Pacino, 8.30 Gold Ring.

The score over the season is now 151-149 in Murphy’s favour and Paddy Power make Murphy a 4-7 chance (from 4-6) to win the title for the third year running, with Buick 11-8 (from 11-10).

Buick has a full book of eight rides at Haydock Park on Friday afternoon, while Murphy has five rides on the same card.

Both riders have two likely favourites at the meeting. Murphy will be aboard Magisterial (3.30) and Whitehaven (5.10), while Buick takes the reins on Mythical Dancer (2.55) and Dukedom (4.40).