Berry gives chase

FRAN BERRY will be hoping to keep the flat jockeys championship alive going into next week's final meeting at Dundalk as his major rival Pat Smullen closes in on the fifth title of his career.

Both men ride on the all-weather tonight, with Smullen on the 88-winner mark, five clear of Berry, who nevertheless could enjoy a successful evening.

Berry teams up with Noel Meade's Sheba Five in the six-furlong Nursery and the filly can make her first handicap start a winning one. The title-chaser will also be hoping Farinelli shows something like the form he exhibited when runner-up to Varsity in October rather than on his last start when finishing stone last.

Smullen is also busy and it looks significant that Dermot Weld is bringing Luxie to the all-weather. The filly was in prolific form in the spring but has disappointed in her two starts in the autumn. Luxie was probably unsuited to the very testing conditions at Limerick last time and is worth another shout in a race like this from a good draw.

The in-form Paul Townend trails Emmet McNamara by five in the apprentice table but looks to have a decent chance in the first division aboard Espartano.