Twiston-Davies rode Baby Run for his National Hunt Festival winner

Gloucestershire's Sam Twiston-Davies has set his sights on being top conditional jockey for 2010-11.

The 17-year-old sprang to fame as an amateur, riding a Festival winner and finishing fifth in the Grand National.

"You've obviously got to have goals in racing to try and progress or you'll be fighting a losing battle," Twiston-Davies told BBC Radio Gloucestershire.

"It's got to be my goal for this year, but there are a lot of good lads out there riding for top trainers."

Although finishing the season as top conditional jockey is his aim, the youngster is currently fifth in the overall jockeys championship on 24 winners.

Most of those have come for his father and Gold Cup winning trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies, but increasingly Sam is picking up rides for other trainers in the north Cotswolds.

But he is worried about riding too many winners too early before he has fully mastered his art.

Inexperienced jockeys can claim a weight allowance before they ride a certain amount of winners which is designed to encourage owners and trainers to offer them rides and Twiston-Davies fears he may get past that point too soon, already being down to three pounds.

"I've got to try and get my name out there, I'm only 17 and I'm losing my claim very quickly," he said.

Conditional Jockey weight allowances 0-19 winners: 7 lb 20-39 winners: 5 lb 40-74 winners: 3 lb 75-94 winners: 1 lb

"It's been very confusing for me, a lot of lads have told me different things about when you lose your five and your three [pounds weight allowance].

"Consistency is the most important thing, riding consistently throughout the year, trying to make every ride one of my best rides, trying to keep owners and trainers happy."

"I guess I'm progressing to a better level - I'm improving every ride I get."

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