Tinkler keeps feet on ground to find winning formula

So, when the leading BBC pundit names a Yorkshire jockey as a possible successor to Tony McCoy, Dunwoody's successor as champion and the winner of the jockeys' title for the past 14 seasons, there's every reason to believe that the individual concerned is a very special talent.

And Dunwoody, now an international explorer and charity fundraiser, is right.

It is no longer appropriate to describe Malton-born Andrew Tinkler as a 'rising star' – the description applied to the jockey, who hails from a distinguished Yorkshire racing family, since he rode his first winner, a 100-1 outsider, on his 16th birthday.

His performances in a succession of big races this season for Nicky Henderson and Henry Daly, his principle two trainers, show that he has taken his riding to a new level and established himself in National Hunt racing's upper echelons.

Racing enthusiasts will be able to judge for themselves when Tinkler, 24, rides the Henderson-trained Wogan in today's Grimthorpe Handicap Chase at Doncaster and attempts to follow up their victory at the course in January.

It will be a tough challenge in a field likely to be headed – ground permitting – by Comply Or Die, the 2008 Grand National hero, and Possol, one of the ante-post favourites for next month's Aintree marathon.

In many respects, this race epitomizes the challenge facing Tinkler as he looks to make the final push towards his sport's summit.

He rode Possol to an impressive victory at Ascot last November – but Richard Johnson, Daly's first choice rider and the perennial runner-up to McCoy, takes the mount today.

Possol's Ascot success capped a memorable afternoon for Tinkler; he went on to record an eyecatching victory on Henderson's stable star Zaynar, one of the favourites for this month's Champion Hurdle.

Yet the indication, thus far, is that McCoy, because of his vast experience, will ride Zaynar at Cheltenham – unless there is a last minute change of plan and the JP McManus-owned Binocular makes an unexpected recovery from a niggling muscle injury in time for the NH Festival. Either way, Tinkler accepts such decisions are out of his hands.

"You're better off riding them once rather than not at all," he told the Yorkshire Post.

"Plenty of very good young jockeys in the weighing room would give their right arm to sit on any one of these.

"It's part of my job, when attached to two big yards, that you will get the second string rides on occasion. But these are still very good horses – and it means you're in the right place when AP McCoy or Dickie Johnson are unavailable. It's all good experience – I'm only 24 but people think I'm older. I suppose it's because I started so young."

As such, Tinkler's Cheltenham plans are in abeyance. Though he admits that this can be "frustrating", he knows that he will have a chance of replicating his Festival success on Greenhope in 2006 if he is patient. His only confirmed ride is aboard Henderson's General Miller, a 33-1 contender for the Spinal Research Supreme Novices Hurdle.

Instead, he's just content on riding winners – and staying injury-free. Victory on the front-running Pickamus at Ludlow on Thursday was Tinkler's his 28th winner this season and matched his total for 2008-09. "And with seven weeks to spare and the worst winter for years," pointed out the rider before praising the horse's jumping for giving his rider such confidence in the saddle. He's also looking forward to riding Wogan, despite the high-calibre opposition.

"He's still quite inexperienced and has had his problems, but he has a nice weight," says the rider who also has a potentially exciting ride on Cucumber Run in the Bumper.

One thing is certain, however. Tinkler will not be phased by the eulogy from Dunwoody (who also singled out top Irish amateur Robbie McNamara) – or the plaudits that he received from John Francome, another former champion, when winning Channel Four's inaugural ride of the month competition for his never-say-die effort on Sherwoods Folly at Cheltenham on New Year's day.

"It's nice to be noted – especially by people who need no introduction," added Tinkler.

"It's very flattering. The biggest difference is that I feel a lot more composed, and calmer, when under pressure. A great home life away from racing also helps. I have a good team around me. I know that I do have time on my side. But I'm not going to get big-headed about things – I'm just going to keep my feet on the ground, keep improving, keep riding winners and keep trying to learn from the best."

Such an approach served Richard Dunwoody well in his early years. There's no reason why it cannot continue to be a winning formula for Andrew Tinkler.