It was only six years ago Sam Twiston-Davies needed his headmaster's permission to miss school so he could ride Irish Raptor in the Kim Muir at the Cheltenham Festival.

Now he finds himself in one of the hottest positions in British racing as stable jockey to champion jumps trainer Paul Nicholls.

He is among the front runners to be crowned leading rider when Tony McCoy retires at the end of the current season.

Irish Raptor was trained by his father, Nigel, and without his help there is no doubt the jockey would not be in the position he is today.

Despite several favourites he will be riding for Nicholls at Cheltenham next week, nothing would give him greater pleasure than to win the Stan James Champion Hurdle on The New One, trained by his father.

An unlucky third last year, The New One has been unbeaten since but did not please everyone with his win at Haydock in deep ground last time out.

However, his loyal ally in the saddle believes that effort was a minor aberration which can be easily forgiven.

"Everyone is allowed an off day - that is what we are putting Haydock down to - and yet he still won. There's no doubt he wasn't quite as good as he had been, but the ground was desperate," Twiston-Davies said.

"He's been cleverly campaigned this year because only Silviniaco Conti has won more prize money than him."

As well as having to face dual winner Hurricane Fly and last year's winner Jezki, The New One will also come up against Ireland's great new hope and red-hot favourite Faugheen.