Liam Jones hoping for fruitful summer season after long drought

Liam Jones is hoping his first winner in more than a year can prove a springboard back into the mainstream.

Ten years ago Jones was enjoying the best of times, riding more than 50 winners a season and enjoying Group-race success, with the backing of William Haggas.

He has nearly 500 winners to his name, but the last few years have been tough after Jones spent time in Mauritius and Bahrain.

After two winners last year, his first success of 2018 came after 35 rides with Ice Canyon, a 25-1 shot trained by Mark Brisbourne, in a Chester handicap on Saturday.

View the winning ride at Chester on Saturday

Jones, who won the Group 2 Diadem at Ascot on the Haggas-trained King's Apostle ten years ago, said: "It's nice to get back on the board and the last couple of weeks have been good, with rides picking up, including for William Haggas again, and with the support of Mick Mullineaux and Mark Brisbourne.

"It feels like I've gone full circle, as it was Mick and Mark who helped me to get going as an apprentice."

Liam Jones and King's Apostle (yellow) beat Frankie Dettori and Diabolical in the 2008 Diadem StakesCredit: Mark Cranham

Reflecting on his Chester win, the Liverpudlian said: "It's always a buzz to ride a winner at one of my home tracks with the crowd on top of you making it a great atmosphere.

"Now I want to get back riding winners regularly. I'm only 33 and in my prime, and my weight has never been a problem – I can do 8st 2lb."

The jockey's big-race wins and stats

Jones is back in Newmarket, riding out for Haggas and Ed Dunlop after his spells overseas, which he feels have cost him back in Britain.

"I did well abroad, but when I came back it was harder all round to get going again and pick up with the old contacts," he admitted.

"Hopefully a winner could give me a bit of a springboard. If I have the right horse under me I can still do it!"

Royal Ascot does not beckon, but Jones is happy to trek to Carlisle on Monday for three mounts and back to Brighton on Tuesday for one ride for Haggas.

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