Sanders and Spencer showdown going the distance

Eight winners behind arch-rival Jamie Spencer only a week ago and with betting firms shutting up shop, Sanders had cut the deficit to just one going into yesterday's action, but a double at Wolverhampton gave the leader a three-win cushion.

Maestro: Spencer extends his lead in the title race on Formation at Wolverhampton

Even his boss Sir Mark Prescott rated Sanders's hopes as 'mission impossible' in July, but the Black Country-born rider has two reasons to believe he is still in with a shout as an epic jockeys' championship battle heads towards the final Flat meeting of the season at Doncaster on Saturday.

Spencer serves a ban tomorrow and Wednesday while on Thursday morning the pair meet at the Shaftesbury Avenue headquarters of the British Horseracing Authority, where Sanders and trainer Peter Makin appeal the disqualification of Classic Descent at Newmarket on Friday. It could well determine the outcome of the closest title race since Steve Cauthen finally saw off Pat Eddery by just two wins 20 years ago.

Cauthen's agent John Hanmer recalled: "Luckily, there was no allweather as I don't think Steve would have gone there. It was his last championship bid and, because of exhaustion, he vowed never to attempt it again."

If Sanders' appeal is successful, not only would the 36-year-old gain a winner but Spencer, 27, would lose one, as his mount in the seven-furlong maiden, Black Rain, was the beneficiary of the Newmarket stewards' decision to reverse the placings.

Optimistically, both men have been pencilled in for rides at Musselburgh on Thursday afternoon prior to an evening engagement at Wolverhampton. But it is extremely unlikely that the Appeals panel or the lawyers representing Sanders and Makin will process matters quickly enough to facilitate a trip north of the border.

Sanders and Spencer are from contrasting family backgrounds. Sanders, whom many have likened to a modern-day Willie Carson with his punters' pal attitude to every ride, was born to working-class parents in the Midlands.

Irish-born Spencer, married to C4 presenter Emma Ramsden, is the son of the late George Spencer who trained the 1963 champion hurdler, Winning Fair. He is independently wealthy and has recently purchased the magnificent La Grange stables at Newmarket, where Geoff Huffer trained Cockney Rebel to win this year's English and Irish 2,000 Guineas.

Sanders is retained by Prescott who regards him as 'Mr Reliable'. The reason his boss believed Sanders could not be champion was that he felt he would not have the equivalent ammunition (largely maiden winners) that Spencer would have late in the season. In fact, Spencer, who has no retainer, has found it just as difficult to come up with good rides.

More of a Lester Piggott, in that he likes to hold up horses and pounce late, he is not to every punters' taste as his preferred riding style can lead to unlucky defeats. But he can also exhibit the brilliance that first became apparent when, as a 17-year-old apprentice, he rode Tarascon to win the 1998 Irish 1,000 Guineas for Tommy Stack.

Michael Bell, whose father-in-law Alan Lillingston coincidentally rode Winning Fair at Cheltenham 44 years ago, has provided 21 of his wins this season.

Bell said: "I watched Jamie from an early age and he was very much on my radar. He rides with great flair while a lot of jockeys are robotic. He is one of the few capable of pulling races out of the fire and he has ridden (Lockinge winner) Red Evie beautifully."

Spencer was champion jockey here in 2005, bouncing back from a troubled 2004 season as Aidan O'Brien's retained jockey at Ballydoyle.

He says this is the last time he will attempt to be champion jockey again — preferring to concentrate on quality rides rather than the quantity of winners that determine the title.

By Saturday evening we will know if Mr Reliable or Mr Mercurial is champion. In boxing, it is usually the man who wants it most whose hand is raised as victor.

How ironic it would be if the most exciting title race for 20 years should be determined at Shaftesbury Avenue rather than in the adrenalin rush of a horse race.

JAMIE SPENCER

Hailing from Ireland, Spencer is 27-years-old and was champion rider in 2005. Rides for James Fanshawe, Michael Bell and Luca Cumani.

■ Has partnered 185 winners from 917 rides this season.

■ Won on 23 of his 88 mounts during the last twoweeks.

■ Picked up 39 days in bans and misses tomorrow and Wednesday.

■ Coral offer 1-2 for the title.

SEB SANDERS

Born and raised in Birmingham, Sanders is 36 and is yet towin th jockeys' crown. Rides for Sir Mark Prescott, Ralph Beckett and Peter Makin.

■ Has partnered 182 winners from 1,083 rides this season.

■ Won on 14 of his 92 mounts during the last two weeks.

■ Amassed 21 days in bans and served a suspension yesterday.

■ He is 6-4 with Coral.