'More pressure at Carlisle' - amateur Dixon relishing Sandown ride on underdog

John Dixon, a 29-year-old cattle farmer, is preparing for the biggest ride of his life at Sandown on Saturday when the likes of Altior and Frodon are set to be in action, but the jockey insists he feels more pressure at Carlisle.

The Cumbrian-based amateur will be aboard Captain Zebo, who bids to make it six wins on the spin in the Grade 2 bet365 Select Hurdle as the jumps season draws to a close.

Victory for the nine-year-old, who is trained by Dixon's permit-holder father John, would cap a remarkable rise in the career of Captain Zebo, who was bought for just £10,000 by the rider's mother Sheila.

Formerly owned by Gigginstown in Ireland, Captain Zebo was rated 114 when his winning run began in a Wetherby novice hurdle in November 2018, and success when last seen in a handicap hurdle at Carlisle in December resulted in a new mark of 146, which has led to a move into classier company this weekend.

"He's had problems with his sinuses and it's been difficult to sort that out, while with me being an amateur rider I couldn't ride for so long with the Covid-19 restrictions," Dixon said.

"We were going to go to the Cheltenham Festival, but thought we'd wait if I couldn't ride and he seems well and happy, and he deserves a chance in a Graded race now.

"I've never ridden in a Graded race before, so I'm quite excited and it'll be a good experience, while the horse likes to go right-handed as well so Sandown should suit him.

"He's won on all sorts of ground and it was watered good ground when he won at Wetherby, while he won a bumper on goodish ground too. He's quite versatile and hopefully he can take the step up in grade."

Dixon with Captain Zebo after their win at Carlisle this seasonCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Dixon's grandfather John also trained from the family's farm in Thursby, which is home to just four racehorses but around 350 beef cattle.

"We were thinking about Aintree but it was a Grade 1 there and might have been a bit steep, while this is a Grade 2, which might be slightly easier," added Dixon, who will travel down to Esher with his mother and father on Friday.

"He's worth a crack at it. He's been a star for us – he's run five times and won five times. He works all right, but is a lot better on a racecourse. He's the best horse I've ridden."

Dixon, who has enjoyed a handful of winners under rules, has had only three rides since amateurs were allowed to compete again and has never ridden at Sandown, but took the opportunity at Hexham on Monday to pick the brains of eight-time champion jockey Peter Scudamore.

He continued: "I ride out and keep myself fit, while I've got one of those horse simulator things and I always train on that. It's my first time at Sandown, but it's nice to do something different and the only person I've spoken to about it was Peter Scudamore, who gave me some advice, which was quite helpful.

"I don't think I'll feel any pressure because he'll be the outsider – I'd feel more pressure riding him at Carlisle or up north because I know he can win. He's got a good chance on Saturday, but is a bit of an underdog still, so there's less pressure."

Select Hurdle entries

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