Ben Jones Saturday rides blog: 'He's had a good break and he goes well when fresh'

Ben Jones has three rides at Kempton on Saturday, February 21, 2026. The Ladbrokes ambassador previews all his rides and discusses his record-breaking season in his latest blog.

Ben Jones Saturday rides blog - February 21, 2026

Ben Jones Saturday rides schedule

• Henry's Friend - Kempton - 3.35 race odds

• Bad - Kempton - 4.05 race odds

• Smile John Boy - Kempton - 4.40 race odds

Record-breaking season

It's been a brilliant season for me, and I'm currently on 77 winners, which puts me level on my best ever season, so my next winner will make this a record-breaking year for me personally. I've had 100 less rides so far, compared to last year, so to get there having had less rides is just brilliant. It's probably down to Ben Pauling's horses and the form they've been in since the start of the season, really. We haven't had a dry spell up to this point, and that's a credit to him and his team for the way they've been performing. It's brilliant to be involved with it all, and Ben's not far from his best season winners-wise as well; he's already topped his prize money, so we'll be working together to make this our best season yet. It's been tremendous, and I'm enjoying every minute of it. 

3.35 - Kempton - Henry's Friend

I'm looking forward to what's sure to be a great day of racing on Saturday, and I kick things off in the Ladbrokes Trophy with Henry's Friend for Ben Pauling. It was a bit of a hard decision for me between him and Ben's other in this race, Leader In The Park. Henry's Friend has had a good break in between runs, and he goes well when fresh. I saw him on Thursday morning and he's looking very fresh, so I'm really looking forward to riding him. He obviously stays the trip really well, and I'm hopeful we don't get too much rain, but that's probably the case for a lot of them in the field.

The one I would probably want to be on, other than mine, would be Leader In The Park. The only reason I wanted to ride Henry was because this is going to be the first time over three miles for Leader, on softish ground in a big race, and I think we're going to go a good gallop. So I think it'll be a real test for him. That's the only reason I didn't pick him, but if he was to stay, then he's got a lot of light weight and will definitely have a chance.

Other than that, it looks a decent enough race, and I'm sure it will be as competitive as always. I'm very much looking forward to seeing how we get on.

4.05 - Kempton - Bad

Then I've got Bad in the race after the Ladbrokes Trophy. He's obviously been very consistent this season, and he - like Henry's Friend - has had a bit of time in-between runs. He looks in brilliant order at home, but he always does, so that's no surprise for me. He obviously loves Kempton, and given that we're here with him this weekend, you'd have to say he's got a very, very good chance. He jumps like a buck, and hopefully he can travel a little bit sweeter through the early part of the race, unlike how he's been the last couple of times around Ascot. I'm hoping he'll relish being back at Kempton. 

4.40 - Kempton - Smile John Boy

I then finish the day with Smile John Boy in the bumper, and he's a horse that's done very well for Ben [Pauling so far]... to be honest, he's not done a lot wrong at all. He won nice the first day, around Hereford, and then he went to Warwick the next time and was just far too keen early doors. To be honest, he shouldn't really have finished second that day, the way he did. If he settles a little bit better this weekend, and comes on for the last run, then he's going to be a very nice horse for us in the future as well. Hopefully he'll have a very good each-way chance. 

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