So much to look forward to for Ben Jones after ‘unforgettable’ Christmas

Nothing has been able to wipe the smile off the face of Ben Jones after an “unforgettable Christmas” that has left him dreaming of Cheltenham Gold Cup glory aboard King George hero The Jukebox Man.

It was a festive season to remember for the 26-year-old who has been riding the crest of a wave since steering Harry Redknapp’s pride and joy to victory in an all-time classic at Kempton Park on Boxing Day.

Not even a trip to Catterick could dampened the Welshman’s spirits, who added to his Christmas haul by winning the Wayward Lad aboard Mambonumberfive and then picking up one of the feature events at Newbury when King’s Threshold stormed to Mandarin Chase success.

He said: “It’s been an unforgettable Christmas. I’ve lost count how many times I’ve watched the King George back, but thankfully I win every time anyway!

“I was sent to Catterick the day after Kempton finished, so that put me back in my box a little, but Boxing Day was brilliant.”

The Jukebox Man will now head to the Cheltenham Festival as Britain’s leading hope of reclaiming the blue riband after a period of Irish dominance.

And although yet to face the starter in Presbury Park’s showpiece event, Jones will be counting down the days until he is reunited with Ben Pauling’s stable star on the racecourse, confident he has all the credentials to thrive on the biggest stage of all.

Jones added: “He wants softer ground and he’ll like coming up that hill – he’s a Gold Cup horse. I’ve never ridden in the Gold Cup so I guess I can’t say for certain, but from what I can feel he’s a proper horse.

“He’s always had speed about him, but we’ve always had three miles up our sleeves and thought he would stay well.

“He hit the line and I couldn’t pull him up after and it’s the first time he’s ever been in a battle over fences, so I think he’ll come on for that.

“We’re not going to see him now until March and a lot can happen. So in the meantime there’s lots of other horses to look forward to and we’ll keep kicking with them and then we’ll get to March and try to enjoy it. It was only The Jukebox Man’s fourth chasing start, so it’s very exciting.”