Sean Dylan Bowen v Joe Leavy - who will come out on top as apprentice title race reaches thrilling crescendo?

There are three more days for Joe Leavy to overturn a two-winner deficit on Sean Dylan Bowen and become champion apprentice jockey in Britain. Bowen did not ride on Wednesday but both apprentices, who have been without a winner since Monday, have a healthy book of rides as the title race approaches its climax.

The title race ends on Saturday and we've looked at who they ride in the next couple of days ahead of its thrilling finale . . .

The score before racing on Thursday: Bowen 42-40 Leavy

Thursday

Bowen and Leavy go their separate ways for Britain's two all-weather meetings with the title leader likely to keep an eye on how his challenger is faring at Southwell in between his eight rides at Chelmsford.

Bowen has double the number of rides of Leavy and he will be hoping that numerical advantage can help him extend his lead. Rogue Diplomat was third on his debut at Beverley and the step up in trip for the opening 1m2f maiden (4.35) could help Bowen's mount. 

Rogue Diplomat's trainer and Bowen's boss James Owen also has High Court Judge making his stable debut off 20lb lower than his last winning mark in the mile handicap (5.45). Early Morning Dew has been ridden by Leavy on his last two starts but his title rival gets the leg up on Jim and Suzi Best's eight-year-old in the 1m2f handicap (5.10).

Ben Brookhouse's course-and-distance winner Profitman looks to be Bowen's best chance of the evening in the 7f handicap (6.15), having been beaten only a neck at this track and trip last time.

Bowen bids to ride his first winners for Michael Wigham, Julia Feilden, John Gallagher and Brian Meehan on King Of War (6.45), Smokey Malone (7.15), Havana Pusey (7.45) and Idle Assembly (8.15) respectively.

Leavy enjoyed success at Chelmsford on Papa Don't Preach last Saturday and the pair bid to follow up under a penalty in Southwell's 5f apprentice handicap (5.00). Leavy has also been booked by Papa Don't Preach's trainer Kevin Frost to partner Documenting (7.00) and Saratoga Gold (8.00). Six-raced maiden Thecoffeepoddotco will need to improve to get Leavy in the winner's enclosure after the first division of the 6f fillies novice (5.30).

Friday

Unlike Thursday, both riders will have the same number of opportunities to secure vital winners as they each have four mounts apiece at Haydock. The opening mile novice (1.45) is unlikely to yield a winner for either Bowen or Leavy given the presence of Willliam Haggas's once-raced winner Yabher in the line-up.

However, Hugo Palmer has provided Leavy with a more realistic chance in nurseries with Ran Amok (2.20) and Herecomesthebear (2.55). Leavy has his first ride for Iain Jardine on Hour By Hour in the 6f handicap (4.05), the same race as Bowen rides Mercurial for his uncle John Nallen.

Bryan Smart's Station X (2.25) and Nallan's Firebrand (4.40) completes Bowen's book of rides before he and Leavy head to Catterick on Saturday for the final day of the apprentice championship.

Read these next:

Do you want to turn ordinary midweek races into memorable battles? Then follow the apprentice title race 

Confirmed runners and riders for the Champion Stakes and four more Group races on blockbuster Saturday at Ascot 

Who will win the 2024 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes and Qipco Champion Stakes based on previous trends? 

Looking for free bets? Racing Post have got the best offers, all in one place. Visit racingpost.com/freebets to find out more.