Twiston-Davies concentrating on being 'best jockey I can be' over title bid

Sam Twiston-Davies believes chasing the jockeys’ championship could have the potential to be detrimental to his riding and his wellbeing and instead is focused on being at his peak when in action for his regular supporters.

Twiston-Davies, 27, sits third in the jump jockeys’ title race behind reigning champion Richard Johnson and challenger Brian Hughes, both of whom have ridden more than 100 winners this season and who look set to go head-to-head through the months ahead.

However, while a shot at the championship would cross Twiston-Davies’s mind if he found himself in a challenging position at a key point in the season, being at his best physically and mentally for those he rides for most days is the rider’s priority.

Speaking to Lee Mottershead in a major interview in Sunday's edition of the Racing Post, Twiston-Davies said: "I wouldn't want the pressure Dickie and Brian are experiencing and I wouldn't want to put that sort of pressure on the trainers who support me.

“I want to provide the best possible service for their yards. I want to turn up the normal, happy, positive Sam. I don't want to turn up tired or run down. I want to be the best jockey I can be.

“If at the turn of a year I ever found myself in with a real championship chance I would go for it, but it's not something I would set out to achieve at the start of a season.”

Twiston-Davies, who partnered Clan Des Obeaux to a second victory in the King George VI Chase at Kempton over Christmas, a winner he tells Mottershead he “decided to enjoy to the absolute max” after crossing the line, believes having a focus outside of racing has helped him keep a level head and fresh approach to riding as well.

“I'm hungry for winners and I love racing but I have other loves as well,” he said. “I never sit at home watching TV. I'm always out, doing stuff, like hunting or skiing.

"I think you do have to take the odd day away from our sport to give yourself a rest."

Read more from Sam Twiston-Davies in The Big Read at racingpost.com, available to members from 6pm on Saturday or in Sunday's Racing Post newspaper. Join members' club here