Welshman Ben Jones has enjoyed a terrific season, headlined by winning the King George on The Jukebox Man. A Cheltenham Festival winner with Meetmebythesea also ensued, but a Grand National winner would’ve been the pinnacle.
Jones rode the Joseph O’Brien trained Jordans, a relatively un-fancied type with stamina to prove. He was ridden in rear throughout, and never really looked to be in with a chance. That’s until he started to make smooth headway later in the second circuit, finding himself with the leaders four out.
To the viewers at home, it would’ve appeared thrilling to see one take off two out in the Grand National. But to the racing enthusiast, it looked like somewhat of a headloss to make a challenge that soon. Jordans jumped the last with a five length advantage, some 15 ahead of I Am Maximus, but he was quickly swallowed at the Elbow.
Speaking after the race via Racing Post: Jones said: “It was unbelievable. I had such a smooth run around, it was just magical. After I jumped the Canal Turn for the last time he just lit up. He jumped unbelievably. The loose horses probably didn’t help me round the Elbow. If they came with me he wouldn’t have got so lonely, but he’s run a blinder.”
“This is the one that got away” – Nick Luck
Once the dust had settled, the manner of the ride was discussed in further detail. Speaking on Luck On Sunday, via Sporting Life, Lisa O’Neill said: “He’s picked up through the field and he’s shot on away from them. Obviously Ben Jones probably thought I’m kicking for home and I’m going to stretch them.
“When he looks back, I’m sure he’s going to think: ‘look where the winner is, look where the second is, if I held onto him and didn’t make up that ground’… he’d have preserved an awful lot more energy.”
Then speaking to Sky Sports Racing on Sunday, Jones himself acknowledged the mistiming: “Hindsight is a wonderful thing but I would probably have held onto him a little bit longer. He’s still a young horse and hopefully he can have another crack next year. There’s always what ifs. As soon as I came back in and watched it I knew straight away what could have been done.
“I could hear horses behind me but I didn’t think I went five or six (lengths) clear as I did. So it’s always what ifs and buts. We live and learn, hopefully I’ll learn. I won’t be doing that mistake again anyway.”
Jones, who is only 25, will undoubtedly become a better jockey from the experience and it’ll be no surprise should he rectify his error in the future at Aintree.