HARRY REDKNAPP will have his sights set on a £140,000 Christmas present – when his ‘classy’ unbeaten horse The Jukebox Man lines up in the King George.
The footie legend loves his horses but he may never have had one better than the Ben Pauling-trained seven-year-old.
The Jukebox Man has never finished out the places in nine career runs and has won his owner a healthy £170,000.
This despite missing the guts of last season through injury after winning the Grade 1 Kauto Star Novices’ Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day.
Pauling has got one of his stable stars fit and healthy now and is looking at Kempton again this Christmas.
The unbeaten chaser will go for what could be a stunning King George VI Chase set to include the likes of Willie Mullins pair Gaelic Warrior and Fact To File, Il Est Francais and defending champ Banbridge.
Victory in the King George – one of the biggest races of the season – is worth a whopping £140,000.
Winning it would see Redknapp DOUBLE his biggest ever cheque over jumps.
His previous best came last year when Shakem Up’Arry scooped £68,000 for winning the Plate at Cheltenham Festival – the day before The Jukebox Man lost the Albert Bartlett in a nerve-shredding head-bobber.
Pauling said: “It will be either the Paddy Power Gold Cup (November 15) or the Ladbrokes 1965 Chase (November 22) for The Jukebox Man.
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“He’s still unexposed and he did win a Grade 1, but he didn’t actually get the opportunity to run at either of the spring festivals and he’s probably still got some mileage in his mark.
“It could be useful to take advantage of that in a handicap.
“He’s had a long time off, but he looks amazing and is moving well.
“It is taking a bit of time to get the weight off, and he will be ready when he’s ready, but the main aim will be the King George.
“He’s not ready yet and we’re upping his work all the time but of course we are cautious to not do too much too soon having picked up the injury last year.
“Hopefully the faster they go in a King George, the more suitable it would be for us.”
King George VI Chase odds via Ladbrokes
7-2 Gaelic Warrior
4-1 Fact To File
8-1 Il Est Francais, Banbridge
14-1 Fastorslow, Jango Baie, Caldwell Potter
16-1 The Jukebox Man, Jonbon, Impaire Et Passe, Champ Kiely
25-1 bar
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