Life in the fast lane: James Davies delighted as dash between tracks pays off

Traffic jams can be the bane of jockeys' lives and James Davies was especially relieved to get a clear run on the roads after pulling off an across-the-card double at Saturday's feature meetings.

Davies, who is based just outside Lambourn, partnered Generous Day to victory in the 1.15 at Warwick before dashing off to Kempton to land the 3.15 on Glen Rocco.

"It often doesn't come off but it worked out well and making the journey was definitely worthwhile," said Davies, who drove himself on the hour-and-a-quarter trip between tracks.

"You wouldn't fancy doing it on a Friday but the roads were quiet and I actually had a bit of time to spare. I warned connections of the horse at Warwick in advance I'd have to speak to them later, and once I'd jumped off and weighed in I legged it to the car."

It was no wonder Davies was keen to ride Glen Rocco as the Nick Gifford-trained eight-year-old won the 3m handicap chase by 23 lengths in the colours of television presenter Jeremy Kyle, Clan Des Obeaux's co-owner Ged Mason and Coral head of PR David Stevens.

"I jokingly said to Jeremy afterwards the horse wants four miles not three, and he had a big grin on his face as they're dreaming about the Grand National with him, which would be lovely one day," said Davies.

The son of Grand National-winning jockey Hywel Davies, the 34-year-old, whose biggest success to date came on Original in the Grade 2 Wayward Lad at Kempton in 2008, is hoping the day can kick-start his season.

"I've had plenty of rides but just been lacking the better horses and my winners are down a bit," he said. "The dry spell hasn't helped but the trainers I ride for are starting to hit form now."

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