Ben Jones Friday rides blog: 'He's a legend of a horse who jumps for fun'
Ben Jones has four rides at Ascot on Friday, November 21 as part of Ladbrokes November Racing Weekend. He previews them all in his latest blog.
Ben Jones Friday rides blog - November 21, 2025
Thomas Mor - Ascot - 1.25 race odds
Your Darling - Ascot - 2.00 race odds
Manuelito - Ascot - 2.35 race odds
Awaythelad - Ascot - 3.10 race odds
Friday - Ascot
1.25 - Get Your Ladbrokes Free Ascot Bet 'Chasing Excellence' Beginners' Chase - Thomas Mor
We start the day at Ascot with Thomas Mor in the beginners' chase - I've never ridden him before, but he's had one ride over fences at Doncaster on what looked like pretty lively ground for him, so he'll probably appreciate the drop of rain if we get some.
There's only four runners in this so it looks like a nice little race - they're obviously all level weights and we've all got a bit to find on the Nicky Henderson horse [Lucky Place] but we've had a run around, and hopefully that experience will stand him in good stead. He's fit and ready to go; I schooled him last week and he was good for me. Philip Hobbs and Johnson White's are in good form at the moment, so hopefully this one is the same.
2.00 - Join Ladbrokes Bet £5 Get £30 Handicap Chase - Your Darling
I'm on Your Darling next in the handicap chase, and I've ridden him once before in a nice little race around Uttoxeter. He's a legend of a horse who jumps for fun, and he's actually won this race twice before, so he's going for the hat-trick. He seems to be in very good form at home, albeit this is his first run for a while. But the good thing about him is that he does usually win first time out, so hopefully he's done enough at home, this is just a normal break for him, and he can come out and do what he has done in this race twice already.
Again, there's only five runners in this race, so it's a lovely little field for him. Hopefully he'll have a nice run, and we'll see what happens from there - but I'd say this is my best chance of the day.
2.35 - Ascot Partners Handicap Hurdle - Manuelito
Manuelito runs in the handicap hurdle - I've sat on him once before and he gave me a lovely feel, winning at Newton Abbott. I think Ascot will suit him nicely; he's a good jumper, he's got a high cruising speed, he's fit, he's fresh, so hopefully he can go very close.
3.10 - Ladbrokes Best Odds Guaranteed In Racing Handicap Chase - Awaythelad
Awaythelad is my last ride of the day, and this is one I get on really well with. He's a little legend. If you look at him in the paddock, he's a big, burly boy - he's got plenty of weight on him, but he's always been like that. He's had a run now, so he should be race-fit. If he wants to do it, then I've no doubt he can go and run a big race here.
He was actually running a nice little race at Cheltenham last time out - he wouldn't have loved the big field there, but I don't think he disgraced himself at all before going down the hill and turning for home, where he obviously got a bit tired. I think Ascot will be spot on for him on Friday, so I'll go out there and enjoy it with him - every time I've ridden him, he hasn't been too far away, so hopefully he can go again here.
All odds and markets are correct as of the date of publication.
