'It's a huge ride' - O'Neill jnr thrilled at Native River call-up for Newbury

One jockey's misfortune is another's gain and conditional title-leader Jonjo O'Neill jnr is keen to capitalise on a dream opportunity when partnering 2018 Gold Cup winner Native River in next month's Betfair Denman Chase at Newbury.

Having broken his arm at Exeter last week, four-time champion jockey Richard Johnson is ruled out from riding the dual top-level winner in the Grade 2 event on February 8, in which he was successful in 2017 and 2018, with O'Neill jnr set to partner Native River in the Magners Cheltenham Gold Cup if Johnson fails to recover in time for the festival.

The Brocade Racing-owned Native River produced his joint second-best performance on Racing Post Ratings when routing a four-runner field in first-time blinkers in the Many Clouds Chase at Aintree in December and is a best price 20-1 with Betfair Sportsbook to land a second Gold Cup in March.