Murtagh odds-on with Sky Bet Johnny Murtagh is long odds-on with Sky Bet to take back the title for the Irish Flat jockeys' championship. The Irish Flat racing season comes to a close at Dundalk on December 5th and the title race could not be closer with the Ballydoyle ace and reigning champion Pat Smullen currently tied on 72 winners apiece. Murtagh is 1/2 with Sky Bet to reclaim the leading jockeys' crown he last won 11-years ago for a third time in 1998, while Smullen is 6/4 to retain the title for a third consecutive season. Matt Doyle of Sky Bet said: "Smullen has won the title five times in the last nine years but his iron grip has been loosened by Murtagh and it is going to be an epic duel that could go all the way to the wire." Both riders are retained by big yards with the superior firepower of Aidan O'Brien's stable expected to swing it in favour of Murtagh, while the defending champion has Dermot Weld's team to call on.
