Ben Jones Cheltenham 2026 day four rides blog: 'If he keeps getting backed in, that will only fill me up with confidence'

Leading jockey Ben Jones has five rides on the fourth and final day of Cheltenham Festival 2026, including on the heavily-fancied The Jukebox Man in the Gold Cup. The Ladbrokes previews all his action in his latest blog.

• Lord Byron - Cheltenham - 1.20 race odds

• Ooh Betty - Cheltenham - 2.00 race odds

• Diva Luna - Cheltenham - 2.40 race odds

• Mondoui'boy - Cheltenham - 3.20 race odds

• The Jukebox Man - Cheltenham - 4.00 race odds

I was pretty fried for about five minutes after that first race on Tuesday because we should have won. He jumped well all the way, and then I asked him one question at the last, and he was just having a good look around at the crowd. Everyone was obviously happy with second, but I think it's the worst position you can be; you're better off pulling up than finishing second. But he's a lovely horse, and I'm looking forward to seeing what he does next year.  

1.20 - Cheltenham - Lord Byron

I've picked up Lord Byron in the Triumph for Faye Bramley, and this is one I rode two times ago around this track. I had a brilliant spin on him, but he was a little bit green in the sense that he'd only ran once over hurdles. I gave him a nice little run though, and he actually stayed up the hill really well and finished fourth. This is obviously a deeper race, and he had another ride up at Kelso the last day, and I'm sure he'll come on for that experience. I liked him a lot at Cheltenham though, and if he's in that kind of form, he'll be a nice ride to start the day.

2.00 - Cheltenham - Ooh Betty

Ooh Betty is one I've spoken about a few times now. She's a lovely mare who has tried her heart out, and this is the first time she'll have had such a light weight; she only just got in here, with 10st 4lb on her back. With her already being so small, that's got to be a positive. She is a bit of a frontrunner and it's a big old field, so the start will be crucial for her. But she is quite nippy out of the gate, so if that's the case here, then she can run her own race... if she's good enough, she's good enough, and if she's not, she's not... her best run to date was probably the last day so, again, if she can repeat that, I think she should be right there.

2.40 - Cheltenham - Diva Luna

Diva Luna is one we've liked the look of all season. Ben [Pauling] really wanted me on her at Bangor on her first time out this year, and I had to move a couple of things around because he told me to do whatever I could to get down there to her. So I stood down from a few rides and managed to get on her... it was listed company, and her first time over fences, but she literally went around without me having to do much for her at all.

She's a proper mare who has taken to fences really well, as I thought she would. I wouldn't mind a bit more rain now, going into Friday, just to get her toe into the ground a bit more. But she's ran a big race every time she's come to Cheltenham, so she likes it around here. Her form normally improves at this time of the year, heading into these big festivals. And if it improves again, then she's going to have a very good chance. 

There's only nine of us in this one, and I like ours a lot. She's the apple of Ben's eye, and going into this week, she was one of the ones I was most looking forward to riding.

3.20 - Cheltenham - Mondoui'boy

Mondoui'boy has done nothing wrong for us so far... he's two from two, and I really like him. When he opened up around 40/1, I thought he was the bet of the week at a big price. Look, obviously it's another grade or two up from what he's been used to, but from what I can feel of him, and what he's been like at home, I think he's a class above the average horse - which he's going to have to be. But for a young horse that's only going to improve, I think the extra bit of distance will be good for him - and if it rains, or if it doesn't rain, the ground isn't going to be an issue. 

I think that if he's still around 33/1 come Friday morning, then that's a massive price for him. 

4.00 - Cheltenham - The Jukebox Man

I'll never get bored of talking about The Jukebox Man - and he's my last ride of the meeting... I'm hoping I'll have bagged a winner before I get to him, but he's a horse I wouldn't swap for any of the others. I've got a tremendous record on him and he seems in brilliant order. Obviously the last day was fantastic, and he's worthy of a chance here. 

It's a very deep and open race, and you could say four or five of us can win it. It's going to be very exciting and I'm really looking forward to him. If you'd have told me at the start of the week I could have had all of the rides I've had, and not ride him, or I'd lose every other ride, but I'd get to keep him in the Gold Cup, I'd go with the latter, every day of the week. He's the one I've most been looking forward to; I just wish he was running on the Tuesday, so I didn't have to wait all week to ride him!

Obviously Harry [Redknapp] has been here, there and everywhere, but I saw him a week ago and he was in good spirits. He'll be getting as excited as he is nervous as we get closer to the race, but he's dealt with nerves and pressure for his whole career. It's a little bit different with horse racing, because he has so much love and passion for it. He'll be hoping Jukebox comes back safe and sound, and if he can get a good little finishing position as well, then he'd be over the moon, I'm sure. 

I wouldn't have a scooby doo as to whether he'll take the Tottenham job - I wouldn't mind him taking it as we might get a few tickets from time to time, but no, I wouldn't have the slightest of idea if he would take it!

The Jukebox Man is one of the most popular and best-backed horses of the whole festival... I love that kind of pressure, to be honest. It's what you want, isn't it? There's obviously horses that the public take to, and he's definitely one of those. It makes these days a lot sweeter, like when Harry won a couple of years ago, the atmosphere is three times more than it usually is when you're coming back in, because of the Redknapp connection.

I love it, and if he keeps getting backed in and backed in, that will only be filling me up with confidence. You know, it's like on Tuesday, Sober Glory was double figures at the start of the morning, and then he jumped off second-favourite. I love that; it gives you a little boost... there's nothing worse than seeing your horse drifting and drifting... you start doubting yourself, and other things, and that's not good for anyone.

I'm going into Friday thinking Jukebox can win the Gold Cup, because I know he can. But I also know there are at least three or four others who will feel the same about their chances. As long as we can all have a nice smooth run, with no mishaps, then the best horse will win...

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All odds and markets are correct as of the date of publication.