As the first Grade 1 of the British season, the Betfair Chase rightly takes centre stage at Haydock on Saturday afternoon. Away from the main event, there is much to look forward to on an undercard featuring the Grade 2 Newton Novices’ Hurdle and a quartet of quality handicaps. Excellent races, one and all, but for ex-football manager Harry Redknapp, the Merseyside meeting is all about the Betfair Exchange Graduation Chase. Included among the final field of five for this Class 2, 2m5½f contest is the horse Redknapp, labelled “the best I’ve ever had”.
Hailing from the Gloucestershire operation of Ben Pauling, The Jukebox Man exploded onto the novice chase scene in 2024/25, only to miss the major spring festivals following a setback. Fit and well once more, he is a warm favourite to resume winning ways on his long-awaited return.
£70,000 Signing Already Looks Like a Bargain
Having claimed an Irish Point to Point by six lengths, Harry Redknapp shelled out £70,000 to secure the services of The Jukebox Man in December 2022. In nine outings in the Redknapp silks, the son of Ask has won five times and never finished outside the first three. Still only seven years old, he has already earned £172,296 in prize money.
Following a low-key 2022/23 season, which included a Class 5 Bumper win at Ffos Las, The Jukebox Man kicked off his Novice Hurdle campaign with back-to-back wins back at Ffos Las. Stepped up to Grade 1 level, he finished third in the Challow Novices’ Hurdle, and second in both the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle and Sefton Novices’ Hurdle. The defeat at the Cheltenham Festival came by an agonising head, as he was worn down close home by Stellar Story.
HOW did he get there?! 😮
Stellar Story absolutely flies home to snatch victory from The Jukebox Man in the Albert Bartlett 👏 pic.twitter.com/RmoIUCSkk0
— CheltenhamRacecourse (@CheltenhamRaces) March 15, 2024
Given his imposing physique, The Jukebox Man was always expected to improve when tackling a fence. Skipping his season in open hurdles to go novice chasing in 2024/25, he immediately proved a natural over the larger obstacles. Plunged straight into the Grade 2 John Francome Novices’ Chase at Newbury, he produced a bold round of jumping to score by two lengths. Better was to follow in the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase at the Kempton Christmas Festival. Relishing the step up to three miles, he broke his Grade 1 duck with another fluent display. That effort made him the standout British contender for the Brown Advisory at the Cheltenham Festival. Unfortunately, an injury sustained at home saw him miss that assignment and the rest of the 2024/25 season.
Return Trip to Kempton the Number One Target
Now fully recovered from his ailments, The Jukebox Man is ready to return following a 331-day absence. While expected to run well, Redknapp stressed that the Graduation Chase is only the first rung on a ladder which will hopefully lead to further Grade 1 success. Looking ahead to Saturday’s contest, the former Portsmouth and Spurs boss stated:
“I hope he’s all okay and Ben’s made sure to tell me that it’s a stepping stone for the season. At the same time, you always want to win, and I’d love to see him do so, so it’s been a case of Ben trying to keep the lid on me a little bit as it’s a prep run.”
If all goes well in his comeback outing, the obvious target for the rising star is a second trip to Kempton on Boxing Day. Long Run and Bravemansgame both backed up a win in the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase with King George VI Chase success. The Jukebox Man is currently a general 12/1 chance to add his name to that list.
No Penalty Kick at Haydock
For now, talk of King George glory, and potentially a tilt at the Cheltenham Gold Cup, is a little premature. First, The Jukebox Man needs to show he retains his ability following that extensive absence.
When looking at Saturday’s rivals, the mount of Ben Jones probably won’t have to be quite at his peak to master Butch, Knappers Hill and Mr Hope Street. However, the Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero-trained Iroko rates a formidable opponent. Rated one pound higher than The Jukebox Man, the JP McManus-owned runner is four pounds well in under these conditions. This trip is undoubtedly on the short side for a horse last sighted staying on for fourth in the Aintree Grand National. Even so, Iroko has the class to at least give Redknapp’s returning star something to think about. All eyes are on Haydock for the 1:50 on Saturday afternoon.
