Ben Jones Saturday rides blog: 'I think he's one of our better novice hurdlers'

Ben Jones has six rides at Ascot on Saturday, February 14, 2026, with Mondoui'boy at 1.15pm considered his best chance. The Ladbrokes ambassador previews all his races in his latest blog.

And with this Saturday being Valentine's Day, Ben also speaks about the best present he's bought his wife over the years. He sheds some light on how he's feeling about Cheltenham Festival next month.

Ben Jones Saturday rides blog - February 14, 2026

Ben Jones Saturday rides schedule

• Mondoui'boy - Ascot - 13:15 race odds

• The Jukebox Kid - Ascot - 13:50 race odds

• Range - Ascot - 14:25 race odds

• Your Darling - Ascot - 15:00 race odds

• Stratton Oakmont - Ascot - 16:10 race odds

• The Flaggy Shore - Ascot - 16:45 race odds

I'll be at Ascot on Saturday, for Valentine's Day, but my wife is used to it by now... she's as good as gold in that respect and knows it's part of the job - it won't really bother her that I'm not around, as long as I come back and make a bit of food for her in the evening, and hopefully bring back a bit of prize money, I'm sure she'll be OK!

I'd like to think I'm quite romantic; the nicest thing I'd say I've done for her for Valentine's in the past is buy her a horse... a year or two ago now. We've been on holidays... I'd say she's done alright out of me! 

He's called Bob, and she did a load of showing on him last summer and won a lot with him... to be honest, he's an absolute rocket to jump. He's been brilliant; we've still got him and we're just waiting to get to the summertime now where we can do a bit more with him.

I would say it's quite tough to top getting her a horse, though; she's back to flowers this year, and maybe a bit of chocolate!

1.15 - Ascot - Mondoui'boy

I'm off to Ascot - a very lucky track for me - on Saturday, where I've got six rides, starting with Mondoui'boy in the opener. I think I've got a good few chances this weekend, and this one is definitely one of them. We obviously don't know a whole lot about him just yet as we bought him from a David Maxwell Dispersal sale. But from what we've seen of him so far at home, we really like him. We went to Ludlow last month, and while you wouldn't be able to make out much if you watch the replay because of the fog, he did really well for me, he jumped well and quickened up, up the straight there.

I really like him, and I think he's one of our better novice hurdlers for the season. There's only six of us in the field here and there are a couple of good ones among that bunch, but I would like to think that he's good enough to be very competitive. I'd say he's probably my best chance of the day, actually.

1.50 - Ascot - The Jukebox Kid

We've got The Jukebox Kid in the next, and he's a lovely horse who I've won on twice, from two rides. He keeps improving, but he's obviously got 10lbs to find on Thomas Mor, who is another one I know quite well, having ridden him the last few times. I'd probably say Thomas Mor has the stronger form going into this, whereas our lad is climbing the ladder, really, and we don't know how good he is just yet.

There's only four of us in it, so it's probably going to be a tactical race, but I schooled our lad this morning and he went great. He'll also enjoy the rain that's coming as well, so hopefully he'll be in the paddock.

2.25 - Ascot - Range

I've got Range, for Sam Thomas, in the next of the day, and I've ridden a few for Sam now. This one beat a horse called Henri The Second the last day at Sandown, and Henri went on to absolutely annihilate a hundred grand handicap back at Sandown the last day, so the form is very strong there. It's a big field so obviously we're going to need a bit of luck on our side, but he hasn't got a heavy weight here; he's 10-10, so hopefully he'll have a good chance.

3.00 - Ascot - Your Darling

I'm on Your Darling in the next, and a disappointing result last time out at Kempton was completely my fault. There was miscommunication at the last and we ended up getting beat on the line. It wasn't my finest hour, but hopefully the only issue we'll have going into Saturday would be all the rain we're getting, because this is one who does prefer better ground. But he did win a bumper on heavy ground many years ago. 

He seems in brilliant order, and this is probably the best I've ever known him. Even though he got beat the last day, I think that ride will have done his confidence the world of good, so I think we go here with a really good chance. 

4.10 - Ascot - Stratton Oakmont

Stratton Oakmont is my next of the day for Kayley Woollacott. I don't know a whole lot about him, but I do know he caused a bit of a shock on bad ground, winning at Exeter at 16/1 back in November. He won very nicely there, although was disappointing the next day. If he runs anything close to what we saw at Exeter, then I'd like to think he'll be there or thereabouts. Kayley's got a couple running in this race... hopefully I'm on the right one!

4.45 - Ascot - The Flaggy Shore

I finish the day with The Flaggy Shore for Ben Clarke. She's a lovely, lovely mare, and while I haven't really had a lot to do with her, but I really like what I've seen of her. She's probably a little bit hard on herself, and can be a little bit keen at points. But to me, she's the best horse in this race. She's the only one that's going to be carrying a penalty, but I think her class should be able to hold that. This is probably one of Ben's better horses from his yard, so I'm very excited to see the day out with her, and hopefully we can finish with a win.

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