In-form Murphy setting relentless pace in title race with 77 rides in 15 days

Oisin Murphy insists it is too early to start thinking about the jockeys' title, but the 23-year-old sits at the top of the standings after a busy 15 days during which he registered 20 winners from a remarkable 77 rides.

Murphy is a top-priced 8-11 with Ladbrokes to win the Stobart Flat Jockeys' Championship for the first time, and he has racked up more rides than anyone else since the season – which culminates on October 19 – started on May 4.

Murphy, who rode a treble from five rides at Wolverhampton on Monday evening, said: "I'm getting good opportunities and I'm enjoying making the most of it.

"I've got a full-time driver and at this time of year I don't ride out too much, so I can just go racing and that's not too bad."

Pondus: the final winner for an across-the-card four-timer for Oisin Murphy on ThursdayCredit: Alan Crowhurst / Getty Images

On a potential title challenge he added: "I tried [to win it] last year but Silvestre [de Sousa] was too good! I'm just trying to ride as many winners as I can this year, it's far too early to think about it, if it's in your mind everyday then you'll be fried by September/October.

"I'll just focus on staying healthy, trying to get as many winners as I can and making those who give me the opportunities happy. All you can do is focus on the rides you have."

Prior to racing on Monday evening Murphy led nearest pursuer Danny Tudhope by four in the title race on 31 winners.

Murphy's extraordinary 15 days in numbers (May 19- June 3)

Rides: 77
Winners: 20
Strike-rate: 26 per cent
Group 1 rides: 4

Murphy enjoyed a stellar 2018, racking up nine Group 1 victories, and has proved a man in demand for leading yards. During his busy fortnight he rode for Sir Michael Stoute, Charlie Appleby and John Gosden, and also took the mount on Telecaster in the Derby and Kick On in the French edition.

"I'm very fortunate to ride for some really good people," said Murphy. "Along with Qatar [Racing] I had some winners for Phoenix, Archie [Watson] and quite a few others. I'm just happy about riding winners for them and keeping everyone happy."

Murphy has ridden two Royal Ascot winners and is excited for his potential mounts across the five days later this month.

He added: "I'm looking forward to it and hope to be busy. There are still some two-year-olds to run, and it's exciting trying to find juveniles to ride and in which races. Joseph O'Brien had a two-year-old winner for Sheikh Fahad on Saturday [Air Force Jet] and I hope he'll come over."

Read The Briefing from 8.30am daily on racingpost.com and the Racing Post mobile app with all the day's latest going, weather, market moves and non-runner news