Patience rewarded once again for Tinkler as he guides home Heather Royal at Huntingdon

And the Malton-born rider proved that yesterday when capitalising on the absence of stable jockey Barry Geraghty, and the injured 16-time champion AP McCoy, to boot home hurdler Heather Royal at Huntingdon.

Not only does he get the chance to ride some of the country’s finest horses on the gallops and, occasionally, on the racecourse, but it was also the 26-year-old’s sixth winner from 16 starts since returning to the saddle on Boxing Day following a month-long lay-off with a broken hand.

Only six other jockeys, most notably McCoy, Geraghty and the remarkable Ruby Walsh, in National Hunt racing’s upper echelons can better Tinkler’s 17 per cent strike rate in a season that has now yielded 27 winners.

And while the last-minute uncertainty over riding plans can, at times, be exasperating, Tinkler knows patience can bring its rewards.

A Cheltenham Festival winner on Henderson’s Greenhope in March 2006, Tinkler also rode Zaynar to third place in the 2010 Champion Hurdle – and could have an eyecatching ride in this year’s renewal if the trainer saddles former champion Binocular, Spirit Son and Grandouet in the big race.

Even McCoy, who would be contractually committed to ride the JP McManus-owned Binocular, can only ride one horse – despite his super-human prowess.

Furthermore one of Tinkler’s comeback winners, State Benefit – a front-running New Year’s Day chase winner at Exeter – carries the colours of Michael Buckley who owns Spirit Son, a top novice hurdler last season and second to Al Ferof in the Supreme Novices at Cheltenham.

Back at Huntingdon, the Yorkshire jockey had to be at his strongest on Heather Royal. The mare, a 4-9 favourite, looked an obvious winner jumping the last in a novice hurdle but had to survive a late challenge from Strongly Suggested who closed to within a neck.

“I think she’ll have a break until the spring now,” said Henderson.

The trainer also reported that the highly-regarded All The Aces – the first leg of a Tinkler double at Newbury last Saturday – will have one more run before one of Cheltenham’s novice hurdles in March.

The seven-year-old has taken to jumping well after being a useful horse on the Flat for Roger Varian and the late Michael Jarvis. Runner-up to the Graham Wylie-owned Prospect Wells on his jumping bow, Henderson and owner Alan Spence were satisfied with the Newbury win.

“His first run against Prospect Wells was good and he’s come on from that and he jumps well. That’s why he’s looking good. As soon as he’s jumped one, he’s looking for the next one so that’s good for everybody,” said Spence yesterday.

n John Quinn plans to give Triumph Hurdle hope Countrywide Flame one more run before the Cheltenham Festival following his fine run in defeat at Chepstow last week.

After winning three of his first four starts over hurdles, the four-year-old was an impressive second behind Hollow Tree in the Finale Juvenile Hurdle which was competed in very testing conditions.

“He could go to Cheltenham for the Triumph Hurdle trial at the end of the month or there is a race at Leopardstown for him on February 12,” said Quinn.

Meanwhile Internationaldebut lines up for Quinn’s fellow North Yorkshire trainer Paul Midgley, and jockey Freddie Tylicki, at the Dubai Carnival today.

“It’s our first runner outside England and it’s exciting stuff,” said Midgley. “The horse did ever so well for us last year, winning at York, Doncaster and Beverley.”