60 seconds with... TOM EAVES, who rode a 44-1 double on this card 12 months ago aboard Chief Scout (13-2) and Dizzy In The Head (5-1)

What is your best Hamilton Park moment?

Any double represents a good day’s work for a jockey and the one I rode on Chief Scout and Dizzy In The Head was especially satisfying as it came on two horses who, although they weren’t unfancied, were not favourites to win. I rode two doubles at Hamilton last July which helped me on my way to a career-best 87 winners last season.

Which race would you most like to win?

Any of the big ones at a top northern track like York or Newcastle. I love riding in races like the Ebor and Northumberland Plate, so to win one of those two would be great.

Best horse you’ve been involved with?

Appalachian Trail has been a good horse to me, even though I missed his big win in Dubai earlier this year. Big Timer is another star who has helped to put me on the map.

Who or what has been the biggest influence on your career?

I wouldn’t say there is anyone in particular, but it would be hard to spend five years with Mary Reveley, like I did when I was starting out, and not learn a stack of good habits. Jump jockeys Peter Niven and Graham Lee were both there during that time, so I picked up a few nuggets from them.

Which sportsperson do you most admire?

Kieren Fallon – he’s the best Flat jockey of our generation.

Do you have any pet hates?

Slow drivers who stop me from getting to racecourses on time!

Where is your favourite holiday destination?

I don’t get away often enough to have one, although I went away to Cancun with a few of the boys late last year – we all enjoyed it there.

What do you do to relax?

Anything I can!

What is the best thing about your job?

All the boys will tell you, there’s no better feeling than winning. For those of us who ride on the all-weather during the winter, we always get a great buzz every March when the new turf season comes around.

And the worst?

Dieting. I’m always on the scales and have to watch my weight closely. Not a day goes by when I can ignore it.

If you could change one thing about racing, or the way racing is run, what would it be?

There are two – fewer jockeys being banned and a better-balanced geographical spread of fixtures.