APPRENTICE championship leader Jamie Powell says he expects a “tough last few weeks” of the season as he bids to fend off the chasing pack and lift the title for the first time.

Heading into yesterday evening’s action at Dundalk, Powell, who was booked for six rides on the card, was on 26 winners for the campaign - three ahead of his nearest pursuer Conor Stone-Walsh (23 winners).

With eight flat meetings to go from now until the end of the 2023 season, the talented young rider has already registered two more winners than was the case for the entirety of the 2022 campaign.

The championship battle is set to go right down to the wire, with Luke McAteer (22 winners) and Adam Caffrey (21 winners) also in close proximity.

Powell, who turned 21 last month, told The Irish Field: “I’m delighted with how things have been going - I’ve had a better year than last year and that was my goal at the beginning of the season.

“We’re coming down to the last few meetings now. Conor Stone-Walsh is a great rider and is very close by in the table. He’s getting good support in Joseph O’Brien’s as well so I’m expecting a tough last few weeks but I’d be delighted if I can come out on the right side of it. It’d make everything worthwhile.”

In demand

Powell is apprenticed to Johnny Murtagh but has been in demand with a host of trainers - riding for no fewer than 89 different yards this year.

“It was similar last year; I think 90% of my winners are outside rides,” said Powell.

“Loads of people are helping me with opportunities and my agent Kevin O’Ryan has done a great job. I’m very grateful for all the support.”

O’Ryan also represents Stone-Walsh, who has enjoyed a hugely successful year considering he had not even ridden his first winner under rules at this stage last season.

The 17-year-old boasts the strongest strike rate of any of the top six in the apprentice standings and has ridden for 64 different yards this season.

“I rode my first winner last December so things couldn’t really be going any better,” said the Wexford native.

“You can’t ride winners without getting good support and I’ve been very lucky to have that. It’d be a brilliant way to finish the year if I could get the championship but there’s plenty of water to go under the bridge until then.”

Chasing pack

An untimely four-day suspension incurred for careless riding at the Curragh earlier this month has done no favours to the title challenge of Luke McAteer, but the Donegal rider is not giving up on his championship bid just yet.

McAteer has split the rides in Jim Bolger’s Coolcullen base with Rory Cleary since the retirement of Kevin Manning last term, and he will return from his ban in time for the final four meetings of the season.

“I’ve been happy with how the year has gone so far and hopefully I can get another couple on the board before the season is out,” he said.

“I’ll be doing everything I can not to leave anything behind me.”

Adam Caffrey, who has stepped up to take the majority of rides in Ado McGuinness’ yard this season, was booked for four mounts at Dundalk yesterday evening as he attempts to claw back his five-winner deficit on Powell.

As for outright jockeys’ championship honours, Colin Keane appears to be in full control at the head of the table on 87 winners - 16 ahead of closest challenger Billy Lee (71 winners).

The pair have pulled well clear of the pack, which is headed up by third-placed Dylan Browne McMonagle on 57.

The season concludes at the Curragh on Sunday November 5th, a meeting for which free tickets are available through www.curragh.ie/tickets.