Ben Jones Saturday rides blog: 'Even though there are 17 runners, he's the one I'm most looking forward to'

Ben Jones previews his four rides at Kempton on Saturday, January 10, 2026. The Ladbrokes ambassador also looks ahead to Cheltenham in his latest blog.

• My Fortune - Kempton - 12.20 race odds

• Leader In The Park - Kempton - 12.55 race odds

• Your Darling - Kempton - 2.05 race odds

• Lanesborough - Kempton - 3.17 race odds

12.20 - Kempton - My Fortune 

We kick things off at Kempton with My Fortune in the novices' hurdle, and I'd say he was very unlucky the last day to be brought down at Newbury. I'd say tomorrow is going to be more of a confidence-building run. He'll need this run to get the last day out of his head, and then we can look forward to the future with him, rather than tomorrow.

12.55 - Kempton - Leader In The Park 

Leader In The Park ran a blinder at Newbury the last day, and this handicap chase is his first run of the year. The trip last time was one that he hadn't run for us up to that point, but I thought he stayed quite well. He's back down in trip, and he's a course and distance winner who seems in brilliant form at home. He's a great jumper who likes Kempton... I'd really fancy him here.

2.05 - Kempton - Your Darling 

Your Darling is next for us in the handicap chase, and he just needed the run last time out at Ascot. He gave it a right good blow, and he's come on a bundle at home since. He's in great shape; I gave him a pop on Thursday morning and he was as exuberant as ever. He's trying a trip for the first time here, which should allow him to be really in his comfort zone for the first couple of miles. As long as he stays the trip, I'd like to think he shouldn't be too far away.

3.17 - Kempton - Lanesborough 

I finish the day with Lanesborough in the Lanzarote and I love this horse. If he's got any problem at all, it's that he wants to do things too much; he's a little bit keen and wants to get on with things. But a big field and a good gallop are really going to suit him. He obviously won over two miles the last day, but he has won over bigger trips as well. He's a very versatile horse. I'm hoping he's still well handicapped - and even though there are 17 runners in the field here, he's probably the one I'm most looking forward to. 

Kempton, King George reflections & looking ahead to Cheltenham

Obviously this is my first time back at Kempton since I won the King George last year. That was a massive achievement for me, and it's something I'll never forget. I can tell you what happens in every second of that race off the top of my head, which tells you how many times I've watched it back since I won it! 

I was away skiing with a few of the jockeys last week and Sean [Bowen] was out there, so there was obviously a bit of banter from the lads regarding me and Sean and the race itself. I was just glad to beat him in a tight finish for a change, rather than him coming and doing me. I had to buy a few extra rounds... I'm not sure whether that was because I won the King George or I was just getting stung by the lads, but it was good to get away nonetheless.

When it comes to Sean and that race, though, to be honest I don't think he ever thought he'd won, I think he just thought I was a little bit silly as it was probably a little too close for me to celebrate like I did. But literally 10 minutes after the race, once I'd walked back into the weighing room, he was the first one to say well done to me. He's a sound guy and we get on really well... he said if anyone else was going to beat him, he was glad it was a fellow Welshman, so I'll take that.  

I've thought about it, and looking back, if that race goes another 100 yards, I win further. I genuinely believe that. If you look at when we all cross the line, within 10 yards, I've pulled a length or two clear, and when I'm pulling up as all of the other lads are pulling up, I go a good 150 yards further on than they do. So, I genuinely believe the further that race would have gone, the more I would have won by. 

And I think that bodes well for the next few months and what's ahead of us this season. I just think he's such a versatile horse; he can handle two miles and stay the longer trip too. Those horses, when they're at that level of class, they win at any trip - and I think The Jukebox Man is that good. That's why he's stood out over the last couple of years.

You know, looking ahead to Cheltenham, and that big hill... I think he'll love it. The day he just got beat on the line at Cheltenham - the only time he's ever been to Cheltenham - I genuinely believe that if the horse that had beaten him [Stellar Story] on the line had come to him 100 yards before the line, I think he would have got back up. When he got in front, it was literally on the line. To be fair to Jukebox, on that day, he never actually had the chance to battle back. By the time the line came, Jukebox didn't even know he wasn't in front. Had he been joined earlier, he would have got back up to beat him. 

I'm hoping they'll never get rid of the racecourse because I absolutely adore it, and obviously I have a fair bit of luck around there. I'd be very sad to see it go. You know, when I drive to Kempton, even though it's over three hours away for me, I love the journey because I love that course. I'm very much looking forward to being there tomorrow, and am very glad it's going ahead. 

View the latest horse racing odds and specials.

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