Kevin Darley has finally admitted that he has won his first Jockeys' Championship after taking his score for the season on Turf to 150 when successful on Mayville Thunder in division two of the European Breeders Fund Maiden Stakes at Musselburgh yesterday. Darley is the first rider based in the north of England to take the title since 1905, and with his nearest rival Richard Quinn drawing a blank at the Scottish course he now has a lead of 14 with only two days of Flat racing left at Doncaster tomorrow and Saturday.

"I think I am relaxed now that I have really won it," he admitted yesterday evening. "I don't think there are enough races left for Richard to win."

There was a slight sting in the tail for Darley as he picked up a two-day suspension (November 10th and 11th) for careless riding on fourth-placed Branston Gemin the seller.

But he is off to Australia for next Tuesday's Melbourne Cup and will still be on holiday there at the time of the ban.