Title duel goes to the wire - Thurles round-up

Michael Kinane made his trip back from Melbourne to Thursday's Irish fixture at Thurles worthwhile when scoring on Yukon to go into Sunday's final meeting of the Flat season level with Johnny Murtagh.

Murtagh had helped himself to an early double on the card aboard the well-backed favourites, Zimbabwe and Hard Shoulder to regain the initiative in their ongoing duel for the title which Pat Smullen will surrender this weekend.

Murtagh's initial success on Zimbabwe for his boss John Oxx did not come easy as it was only well inside the final furlong that the favourite got the better of Kinane aboard Nopekan.

It was much easier for Murtagh aboard the odds-on Hard Shoulder in the other half of the juvenile maiden, from which Kinane's intended mount Cafe Creme was withdrawn after giving herself a knock the evening before.

Major Title made it a hat trick for favourites at the meeting when finally getting off the mark in the Last Chance Maiden with both Murtagh and Kinane never threatening to get into contention.

However 11-time champion Kinane got upsides Murtagh again on the 76 winner mark as he drove the 7-1 chance Yukon to the front over a furlong out to take the Holycross Handicap on behalf of veteran trainer Paddy Mullins.

"It was important to get one back after Johnny's double and let's see what happens on Sunday," was Kinane's post-race remark before he was quoted as odds-on now to reclaim the crown.

Both riders are expected to have a full book of mounts in the eight Flat races down for decision at Leopardstown on Sunday, but Kinane is favoured by the bookmakers with his odds varying from 8-11 with Paddy Power to 4-9 with Ladbrokes.

In the finale the champion jumps jockey Paul Carberry made all the running on 8-1 chance Solerina for the Bowe family whose star performer Limestone Lad will carry top weight with Carberry up in Saturday's Brown Lad Handicap Hurdle at Naas.