'It's remarkable. I'm loving life' - rising star Ben Jones on his red-hot form

Ben Jones says he is "loving life" after landing a second successive big Saturday prize with Misty Bloom at Wincanton, a win that continued the rapid rise of the talented conditional jockey.

Emma Lavelle described Jones as "a top rider of the future" after his well-timed ride on the six-year-old in the Richard Barber Memorial Mares' Handicap Hurdle, a victory that came a week on from his brave ride on Gumball in Ascot's Sodexo Handicap Hurdle.

That Wincanton winner brought his tally to 20 for the season and the son of Ffos Las clerk of the course Dai Jones is revelling in his recent success.

That winning feeling: a delighted Ben Jones after winning on Runasimi River at Warwick in SeptemberCredit: Edward Whitaker

"It's hard to put into words, everything has progressed and been going really well," said Jones, who turns 20 next Saturday. "It's been quite remarkable. I'm loving life at the moment.

"A few months ago if I had a few rides for the guv'nor [Philip Hobbs] I'd be happy. But I've had a lot of backing from smaller yards and I had a treble at Hereford in October, which was a massive help and opened up a few doors.

"I said at the start of the season if I lost my 7lb claim it'd be a great season, so I have to pinch myself that I managed it in my first month. I take each day as it comes now."

Of his high praise from Lavelle, Jones added: "It was lovely what she said and when it comes from a top trainer then it goes a long way.

"Misty Bloom won really well; she loved the ground and had no weight on her back. She jumped well and it was quite a smart performance; everything went perfect."

Misty Bloom (white and blue silks): provided Ben Jones with another big Saturday winnerCredit: Alan Crowhurst / Getty Images

Gumball's Ascot success remains Jones's biggest winner, with the pair hitting the front early and battling bravely to hold off the fast-finishing Red Force One.

Jones reflected: "It was my first winner at Ascot, which was pretty special. I was very lucky to get the ride from Mr [Terry] Warner and the guv'nor [Hobbs]. It was a great day – as I was driving home it still hadn't sunk in. I'll sit down even now with a cup of tea and think 'wow, I've actually done it'.

"Growing up as a kid I would always watch the races at tracks like Ascot. That's when I realised riding was what I wanted to do. I've always wanted to go jumping this and jumping that. I couldn't ever see myself in an office from nine to five!"

Gumball: gave Ben Jones his biggest winner in the Sodexo Handicap HurdleCredit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

Having already completed his seasonal target, the Welsh rider is now hoping for a dream winner at Cheltenham's November meeting.

"It's too early to say if I'll be riding there, but my agent Dave Roberts is class and if I get a ride it will be because of him," added Jones. "I'll be keeping my fingers, toes and everything crossed I could get a nice opportunity."

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