Smullen to extend title lead

It might not have the profile of the UK version but the skirmish for the Irish jockeys title is turning into an interesting scrap in its own right and the leader Pat Smullen is taken to extend his advantage courtesy of Among Equals at Fairyhouse today.

Smullen, on the 62 winner mark, has yet to land the championship but he currently holds a lead of six over the former double title-holder John Murtagh.

Lurking behind both is Michael Kinane but while he and Murtagh will have one eye on an epic Arc clash between Montjeu and Sinndar, Smullen's focus is sure to be unhindered.

Of course backing horses in maidens at this time of the year can be a tricky business and Among Equals is a case in point.

Last spring Dermot Weld made no secret of his regard for the Sadlers Wells colt but he has failed to win in three starts and significantly is now dropped in trip for the Dunboyne Maiden.

Nevertheless he does come here with a 93 rating, much the best in the race, and there is no particularly obvious danger among those with form, the best of which should be Murtagh's mount Knights Place.

Even with the maiden question mark hanging over them, the field for the Kiloon Race also looks interesting as it presents what should be an ideal six furlong trip for Lindissima.

The Con Collins filly was a huge gamble on the Saturday of the Derby weekend but was an expensive flop behind Basin St Blues over seven furlongs after pulling hard early. Before that she'd been beaten a short head by The Rort over a mile but over this distance she can successfully bounce and run.

In the Mullinam Handicap the remarkable Rainbow Realm bids for a fourth victory in a row. From her first success off 57 at Tramore, she is now on the 75 mark but still has an obvious chance. That Tramore run however saw Berkeley Bay just under two lengths behind and although Michael Halford's filly hasn't run since, she is now 18lb better off and has the good ground she won on in Galway.

There have been few if any better hurdles riders than Charlie Swan, a point he can emphasise on the frustrating Bob What in the maiden hurdle, while Mick Halford could earlier have been on the mark with Twokay in the opener.