Tom Marquand believes William Buick will be his biggest rival when it comes to winning this year’s British Flat Jockeys’ championship.
Marquand, who was champion apprentice in 2015, has enjoyed an impressive start to the season and currently sits second in the standings with 54 wins to his name, seven behind pacesetter and defending champion Oisin Murphy.
The 22-year-old also registered a second-place finish in last months’ Derby at Epsom and he is hopeful regarding his chances of challenging for the Jockeys’ Championship.
“The last few weeks have been great and numerically I think July has been my best ever month in the saddle, rides and winners-wise, which is great,” Marquand was quoted as saying by Racing TV.
“It is weird not having an official end to the season, as they have not announced when it is going to finish. It will be a long season, I guess, and I’m looking forward to all of it.”
However, Marquand does not believe championship leader Murphy will be his main rival for the title, as he has tipped the experienced Buick, who currently sits third in the standings, to emerge as a serious contender, particularly given the current restrictions placed on jockeys due to the coronavirus pandemic.
“Oisin has got off to a flyer and he is going great guns. I think William is probably not someone many would have initially considered,” Marquand added. “With this one meeting rule it means someone who is retained with a big job like William has with Godolphin can ride that quantity of winners needed to finish at the top.”
