Ben Jones Saturday rides blog: 'He shouldn't be too far away'

Ladbrokes ambassador Ben Jones previews his three rides at Ascot on Saturday, December 20. He also speaks about a plethora of other topics in his latest exclusive blog.

• Bad - Ascot - 13:50 race odds

• Pic Roc - Ascot - 15:00 race odds

• Fiercely Proud - Ascot - 15:35 race odds

I know there was a media day at Ben [Pauling]'s yard on Thursday morning - I was around for one lot early on and then had to head down to Exeter, so as I was driving out, everyone was driving in. That means I didn't get all the cameras in my face this morning, so that was all good! I gather everything went well though. 

I think the sport has changed in that respect even since I started riding, to be honest. Obviously, the world has moved a lot in terms of social media over the last few years, and often that's a good thing, but it can also be a very bad thing as well. You know, when you have a winner, it's brilliant, and when you get beaten by a nose, it's not so brilliant then...

But when you're starting out in your career in this sport, you're only thinking about the horses; you're not thinking about the side of the job where you need to consider what you can and can't say to people. That's something that comes with experience. Luckily nowadays with the younger generation coming through, before they're even riding, they've got media classes on their courses, which helps them out massively before they go and have their first ride, or ride their first winner. They're definitely more prepared than we were when we started out!

1.50 - Ascot - Bad

I start Saturday at Ascot with Bad in the handicap chase, and he was a bit frustrating to work with until he actually won a race, to be honest. Since then, he's been very consistent and always runs his race. I still think his mark is workable, and as long as the rain doesn't come in too hard, he should have a very good chance. He seems very fresh and well at home, and actually ran a good race at Cheltenham, but just didn't come up that hill as well as he does at other tracks. But I really like him and hopefully we've got a chance here.

General Medrano also runs in this race and is one I know well for Emma [Lavelle]. He's been crying out to go up in trip, and this is the first time in a long time that he has. He's very versatile on the ground and is a great jumper - I suspect he won't be too far away. If I'm right about him needing the step up then I think he'll be right up there.

3.00 - Ascot - Pic Roc 

Ben [Pauling] has got two in the Silver Cup this weekend: Pic Roc and Henry's Friend... it was a really hard decision to pick between the two, and Ben didn't really help me out with the decision, he just left it to me to pick one! Normally he'd give his verdict, but this time he didn't. I've gone with Pic Roc for a couple of reasons; first, he's been in great form this year, he obviously finished fifth in the Coral Gold Cup last time out, which was a massive run, and if he's anywhere near that this weekend, then he shouldn't be too far away. He's got no weight on his back though either, and if the rain comes, then I'd like to think he'll play a big part in this race. 

Henry's Friend would have only ran eight days ago... I saw him this morning and, to be fair to him, you wouldn't think he'd only ran a week ago - he's as fresh as he can be. It was a very hard decision, and if Henry's Friend hadn't have ran so recently, then it might have been a different story. 

It'll be a strange one if I'm pipped at the weekend by Henry's Friend, I can say that... it's especially worse when it's your choice. If Ben would have had a plan in mind for who is riding who, then obviously it's out of your hands, but if it's down to you, of course it's a little different if the one you didn't choose ends up winning! You know, if I finish, say, third and Henry's Friend wins, then I'd say fair play to him and Kielan [Woods] and I wouldn't be bothered at all. Obviously if I'm beaten by a nose then it's going to be a little bit harder to swallow!

Look, they're both very good animals, and Henry's Friend won around here two runs ago - the only thing that was in my mind when it came to him was that he ran over three miles around Cheltenham eight days ago come Saturday. That would be the downside for him.

3.35 - Ascot - Fiercely Proud

Fiercely Proud is next for me in the handicap hurdle, and this is one who won at this track this time last year. I schooled him this morning and I've got to say he schooled absolutely brilliantly - probably the best he's ever schooled at home. He's a little bit of a funny character when it comes to putting a race together. If you look at him this time last year, you'd say he was a very good animal, but on a couple of occasions since then he's just looked a little bit laboured. 

But he ran well enough at Cheltenham on his first time out this season, and hopefully that should put him in a good position for this one. I'd like to think he'll be in the mix. He's 5lb higher than he was this time last year, but he's only carrying 11st 2lb, so it's not as if he's carrying top weight. Hopefully I could have a very decent day... I'm looking forward to it.

Long Walk Prediction - Strong Leader (Sean Bowen)

I don't have a ride in the Long Walk, but if I had the pick of the bunch, I think I'd go with Sean Bowen's [Strong Leader]. He seems very consistent and I know Sean was kicking himself with him the last day - I just think he's incredibly consistent and goes well on most ground, so I'd imagine he'll be right in the mix on Saturday.

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