PAT Smullen has admitted he is "up against it" as he bids to be crowned Ireland's champion flat jockey for the 10th time.

The leading rider first claimed the title in the year 2000 and has been champion in each of the last three years.

However, despite reducing the gap with a winner at Leopardstown on Sunday, he still trails Colin Keane - who is chasing his first championship - by four winners, with the scores 90 to 86 ahead of Tuesday's meeting at Fairyhouse.

"The ammunition just isn't there, that's the long and short of it," Smullen told At The Races.

"I picked up a one-day suspension and will miss a good meeting here (Leopardstown) next Saturday. They're all the negatives.

"I don't lie down easily and I'll ride away until the last race on the last day, but we all have to be realistic.

"I'm up against it."

The Irish flat season comes to an end at Navan on November 5th.