JASON TITLEY yesterday landed the plum spare ride on Jodami in the Rowland Meyrick Handicap Chase at Wetherby on St Stephen's Day.
The Irishman's agent Graeme James approached trainer Peter Beaumont when it became clear other jockeys could not commit themselves to being at Wetherby to take the place of currently sidelined Mark Dwyer on the 1993 Gold Cup winner.
Titley himself returned from a spell out of action when scoring on Too Sharp at Ludlow yesterday.
The delighted jockey who landed the spare ride on 1995 Grand National winner Royal Athlete said. "It's brilliant, a lovely Christmas present for me.
"I've not ridden for Mr Beaumont before but obviously I know plenty about Jodami. I'll also be having a long chat with Mark because I won't have a chance to sit on Jodami before the race.
"I think he ran a cracker first time out and he has shown he is a horse who improves throughout the season. He must have a great chance."
. Kempton may be robbed of another star name with Alderbrook unlikely to make his reappearance on Friday in the Christmas Hurdle unless the ground eases.
