YOUNG Jonjo ONeill Jr can prove he is the man for a crisis at Newbury.
The jockey, 22, has been called up to deputise for injured champ Richard Johnson on Native River in the Denman Chase.
Jonjo ONeill Jr is set to ride Gold Cup hero Native River today
It is a significant gesture of faith from trainer Colin Tizzard, with todays race being used as a stepping stone to next months Cheltenham Gold Cup.
It is the same route the 10-year-old took when landing jump racings biggest prize at the Festival in 2018.
And Jonjo Jr, son of legendary trainer and jockey Jonjo ONeill, cant wait to get rollin on the River.
Jonjo Jr said: Its a huge ride to pick up. It goes without saying Im very thankful to the Tizzards and the owners Mr and Mrs Broom for putting me up.
They probably could have gone for plenty of other jockeys, someone with more experience or someone who has ridden him before.
But Ive had a bit of luck for the owners and ridden a few winners for them over the past year, and Ive built up a great relationship with the Tizzards.
Its a big call-up and I feel very lucky. Its an honour to get on a Gold Cup winner and Im relishing it. Its a big day and Im confident I can do the horse justice.
Native River is the long odds-on favourite for the Grade 2 Denman following a 33-length romp at Aintree in first-time blinkers in December.
He showed all his old zest that day in the hands of Johnson, who is currently facing a race against time to be fit for Cheltenham having been KOd by a broken arm last month.
But Jonjo Jr insists he is not feeling the heat despite being tasked with getting the horse ready for the biggest race of the season.
He said: I dont feel pressure in races. The shorter the price the better the chance they have, I just look at it that way.
Id rather be riding a long odds-on favourite because it means Im on the best horse.
Usually a lad at home called Jamie Thomas rides him every day, but I schooled him over fences just over a week ago and he felt very good.
Colin decided to put the blinkers on him at Aintree and theyve worked a treat. It really sharpened him up and he was electric round there and made some very good horses look ordinary.
Jumping is his forte and he has a good record around Newbury, its a big galloping track which suits him.
Saturday is not the be all and end all, obviously the Gold Cup is his big target, so hopefully it will be nice and straightforward and will put him spot on for Cheltenham in a few weeks.
Jonjo Jr brought up his half-century of winners for the season on Friday and is on course to claim the conditional jockeys title.
But his first port of call was to reach out to 4-time champion Johnson for guidance.
Jonjo Jr continued: The horse looks very straightforward in how he races but Ive spoken to Dickie who has given my some good insight on how to get the best out of him.
He is a great role model for the younger lads, hes champion jockey in every sense to be honest.
Hes an absolute gentleman on and off the track, he gives you good advice if you ask for it and hes someone we all look up to.
Jonjo Jr, who rode his first Cheltenham Festival winner last year in the Martin Pipe Hurdle, admitted exceeding his own expectations over the past 12 months.
And if Johnson failed to get fit in time for the Gold Cup, he would crown a memorable year with the ride on Native River in the big one.
He continued: I only rode my first big winner about this time last year in the Lanzarote Hurdle, and I obviously went on to win at Cheltenham which was very special.
This season is going great. Ive had a bit of time off with injury so I set myself the target off riding 50 winners thinking that would put me in a good position for champion conditional.
Ive already reached that goal so its going better than I was expecting.
If I were to pick up the ride on Native in the Gold Cup it would be absolutely huge. But I think Dickie is likely to be back in time for the Gold Cup, he looks like hes on track and Im wishing him a speedy recovery.
