SANDERS v SPENCER Seb Sanders Age: 36, Weight 8st 4lb 2007 Wins 185; Rides 1,103 Strike rate: 17% Jamie Spencer Age: 27, Weight 8st 6lb Wins: 185; Rides 926 Strike rate: 20%

Sanders failed to overturn an amended result at a special hearing with racing's governing body on Thursday.

The British Horseracing Authority rejected his appeal over a disqualified winner at Newmarket last week.

Spencer, who is level with Sanders on 185 wins with three days of the season left, flew to Scotland after the London hearing for five races at Musselburgh.

Interview: Jockey Seb Sanders

He was out of luck in the first two races, finishing second on both Capefly and odds-on favourite Pieter Brueghel.

Both riders are going the extra mile as they bid to win the coveted crown, riding at meetings up and down the country.

Thursday began at BHA headquarters in Shaftesbury Avenue at a specially convened 0700 GMT start, freeing the jockeys to ride later in the day.

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The hearing centred on a race which Sanders initially won before a stewards' inquiry awarded the contest to Spencer.

Sanders had partnered Classic Descent first past the post while Spencer was aboard the short-head runner-up Black Rain in the race at Newmarket on 2 November.

But the course stewards reversed the placings, ruling Sanders' horse had interfered with Spencer's and his position had improved as a result.

It's been a rollercoaster and I've been on the front seat Seb Sanders on the jockeys' title race

Sanders said after the BHA hearing: "It would have been a two-winner swing and we came down here hopeful but it was a 50-50 chance really.

"I'll just have to dust myself off, put my head down, and get on with the job."

He added: "There have been so many twists and turns this season you never know what is going to happen.

"It has been a rollercoaster and I've been on the front seat."

Spencer returns to racing after serving a two-day ban.

His day started at his Newmarket home, and he will have covered nearly 900 miles by the time Thursday is out. Sanders will travel about 320 miles.

BBC Radio 5 Live racing correspondent Cornelius Lysaght said: "The appeal board meeting was unprecedentedly early so Jamie Spencer could give evidence before travelling on to Musselburgh races for five planned rides.

"This is a crucial result for Spencer, who would have fallen two winners behind Seb Sanders if the hearing had gone against him.

CHAMPION JOCKEYS 2000-06 2006 Ryan Moore 180 wins 2005 Jamie Spencer 163 2004 Frankie Dettori 192 2003 Kieren Fallon 207 2002 Kieren Fallon 136 2001 Kieren Fallon 166 2000 Kevin Darley 155

"Both riders are at Wolverhampton's evening meeting and the closest title race in 20 years ends with the conclusion of the Flat racing season at Doncaster on Saturday."

Spencer has four rides at Wolverhampton, taking his total bookings for the day to nine, while Sanders has three mounts.

Sanders, 36, was champion apprentice in 1995 but is seeking his first professional championship.

The Englishman rides regularly for Newmarket trainer Sir Mark Prescott.

The 27-year-old Spencer, once known as the 'Babyfaced Assassin' for his cherubic looks, won the title two years ago.

Born in Tipperary, he is the godson of Coolmore Stud owner John Magnier and is married to Channel Four racing presenter Emma.

The battle between Spencer and Sanders has been a feature of the 2007 Flat season.

Sanders led in the summer and was rated an odds-on shot at one stage.

Spencer fought back, with some bookmakers suspending betting when he moved eight wins clear in the title race on 30 October.