Fanning is all-weather champ Joe Fanning won the all-weather jockeys' championship after finally pulling clear of his main rival Luke Morris on the final day of a tight title race. Fanning took the honours 89-86 after enjoying a double on Lingfield's afternoon card as both riders smashed the previous best number of winners, 72, by Chris Catlin in the 2007-08 campaign. Fanning was just one ahead at the start of play on Friday but sealed the honours with a double at the Surrey track, before the curtain came down on the all-weather campaign at Wolverhampton's evening fixture. He struck on Roger Teal's Ostentation (5-1) at the main expense of Morris on Quinsman in the Summer Nights At Lingfield Park Claiming Stakes, although in the process he picked up a two-day ban (April 13 and 14) for careless riding. And then he bagged a comfortable victory on Danube River (9-4) for trainer Mark Johnston. That success finally ended Morris's hopes. He drew a blank and could no longer catch the leader as he only had two booked rides at Wolverhampton. He was also out of luck there while Fanning gave up his only mount after his other one was a non-runner. "It's been tight all the way. I used to have a break around December, but last year I had an injury and didn't get going again until September so I bashed on," Fanning told At The Races. "I was lucky enough January time Mark (Johnston) had a lot of maidens and it's just the way it's happened. "Luke was there all the way. I would have settled for a dead-heat. Luke has had plenty of winners and a good winter as well," Morris added: "I've had a brilliant winter and thanks to everyone who's supported me. Things are going well and fingers crossed it will continue to go well."
