CRACKER JACK

TALENTED teen Jack Doughty is busy running up the meter on his Mum and Dad's taxi, which is on the way to Royal Ascot.

- by MELISSA JONES

In one week alone, the Volkswagen Transporter has travelled to Brighton, Leicester, Lingfield, Goodwood, Chepstow and Windsor - a cumulative distance of 1,500 miles from home.

But carpenter Craig and housewife Jo are willing to go the distance to help their son up the ladder in a sport he has loved since school.

And this week he is aiming to make his mark at Royal Ascot. He rides Annsar in Friday's Sandringham and hopes to pick up a few other spares.

"Mum and Dad drive me to the races and I pay the bill at the end of the month," says Jack, 17, from the Midlands staycation town of Stourport-on-Severn and fresh from his 100th career winner on Marioento earlier this month.

"I'm one of six kids so I'm very fortunate they have been able to support me. They are really proud of what I've achieved."