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

Even on quiet afternoons in the most focused of racing-mad pubs, conversations rarely start: "Did you see that middle-distance handicap at Brighton on Tuesday?"

However, a case can be made for this particular race having been the most significant of the week so far. It was by no means the kind of glamorous contest our leaders would like us all to focus on, a Class 6 event for horses rated no higher than 65, offering first-place prize-money of £2,983.38. But it was thrilling to watch and may, as it turns out, have determined the identity of this year's champion apprentice.

This is a title race I've really enjoyed – and it's been the only one that's been live for months. Oisin Murphy is clearly going to recover his crown as champion jockey, while Aidan O'Brien is miles clear on prize-money among trainers. But the tussle between the top handful of apprentices has been absorbing, entertaining and surprising at times. Plus it feels like a competition we should all be monitoring, since one, two or more of these youngsters may be the sport's future stars.