Jones eyes Gold Cup glory on The Jukebox Man

Ben Jones was a promising fly-half when he was growing up, coming through the Scarlets academy.

But he's now working for football legend, Harry Redknapp, in the world of horse racing.

The 26-year-old has already won one of the biggest races of the year, the King George aboard The Jukebox Man, owned by Redknapp, and now he's set to go for the prestigious Gold Cup.

Both Redknapp and Jones have built a strong bond on and off the track.

"He's got my number and he will ring me the odd time, he's just a top, top fella, he's just a genuinely nice chap.

"I could ring him right now and he'd be like, 'Alright Benny, how are you getting on?' It's just very, very normal.

"He's looking forward to Cheltenham, he's got a bit nervous already but I think he's entitled to that."

The Carmarthenshire-born jockey first rode the now eight-year-old gelding in 2023.

"I've never gone to Ffos Las for a maiden hurdle and had about 15 calls off people to say that this was the biggest certainty I've ever sat on, so I was driving down there a bit like, 'What's everyone raving about?'

"I got on him and yeah, I soon saw what everyone was raving about.

When asked what makes these grade one horses so special for a jockey, Jones replied: "Everything is so effortless, they gallop at a good tempo 90% of the time, they're brilliant jumpers and they just float, you can't really describe it.

"Everything is so easy, you think you're flat out and you give them a squeeze and they find another gear. I guess if you're driving a Lamborghini or something and you drop out of gear and you feel the kick, that's what you'd feel on a horse.

"It is a tremendous feeling and not too many lads would get that feeling, so I'm blessed to have that."

Jones has already had a winner at this year's festival, guiding Meetmebythesea to victory in The Jack Richards Novices' Limited Handicap Chase.

All eyes now turn to Friday's Gold Cup (16:00 GMT) at Cheltenham.

The Gold Cup is described by The Jockey Club as the most prestigious steeplechase in the world.

Among those standing in his way are Gaelic Warrior, Jango Baie, the Rebecca Curtis trained Haiti Couleurs and last year's winner Inothewayurthinkin.

"I'm revved, he's A1, so very much looking forward to him.

"It's brilliant for us Welsh, and obviously we've got a high standard of Welsh jockeys coming through and to be fair the Welsh trainers have had loads of success as well this year.

"Everyone's going to be tuning in to see a Welsh contenders, and proper contenders, it's brilliant for Wales."