Apprentice jockey Luke Morris has been tipped for the top - even before he has ridden a winner.

The 16-year-old, who hails from Blewbury, near Didcot, has so far had six rides for Newmarket trainer Michael Bell, who saddled Motivator to win this year's Vodafone Derby.

And he came agonisingly close to notching his first winner when his mount Press Express was beaten a short head by Northside Lodge at Leicester earlier this month.

Morris, who moved to Newmarket when he was seven, said: "I was told to come as late as I could on him because he doesn't do a lot in front.

"He had his head in front two strides from the line, but then the other horse outbattled him.

"I knew he had got beaten, but a furlong out I thought I was going to win. I am sure there will be another day."

And Morris, who attended Stephen Freeman School in Didcot, added: "My long-term ambition is to be champion jockey one day.

"My first ambition is to ride my claim out before I am 25-years-old and hopefully be champion apprentice one day."

Those may seem like heady ambitions, but Morris, who has been working at Bell's stables since he was 12, has already been tipped for big things.

Graduating from a special course at the British Racing School at Newmarket earlier this year, he was among a group of seven Year 11 schoolchildren who received certificates from top jockey Richard Hills.

Also among the group was William Carson, the 15-year-old grandson of the former champion jockey of the same name.

However, it was Morris - a nephew of former jockey Jason Tate - who was picked out of the group by BRS director Rory MacDonald as a potential star.

"Perhaps not surprisingly, William shows considerable ability,'' MacDonald said. "But if I had to stick my neck out and forecast a future top jockey from the group I'd say it could be Luke Morris.''

The teenager, meanwhile, looks up to former champion Kieren Fallon. "If I do half as well as him it would be really good," he added.