Harry Redknapp’s Albert Bartlett fourth Yellow Car will not get the chance to build on his fine effort at the Cheltenham Festival having met with a setback which will keep him out of action for the foreseeable future.
Making his first appearance in the colours of the former Premier League manager, the David Killahena and Graeme McPherson-trained seven-year-old confirmed the promise of his River Don win at Doncaster to outrun odds of 33-1, missing out on a place on the podium by a head.
It was the second time in successive years that a Redknapp runner has performed with credit in this particular race at Prestbury Park after Ben Pauling’s The Jukebox Man was agonisingly denied by Stellar Story 12 months ago.
Harry Redknapp was a keen observer at the Cheltenham Festival (David Davies for the Jockey Club/PA)
And like The Jukebox Man, Yellow Car now faces time on the sidelines after meeting a setback in the process of his brave run in a race won by Willie Mullins’ Jasmin De Vaux.
“We were delighted with the run and we were confident going there that all his work at home had been good, even though he doesn’t show an awful lot,” said Killahena.
“We were really pleased and it was Harry Redknapp’s first runner for us, so it was even better to get him into the winner’s enclosure at Cheltenham.
One Runner Today 📸 Yellow Car in the 15:20 Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham. pic.twitter.com/RVFYx8fwAG
“There’s a bright future ahead but it might be a bit slow for a while, as he suffered a nasty overreach which is going to set him back a while.
“He’s in Three Counties veterinary at the minute and they are doing a great job and fingers crossed we will be out of the woods soon and can go from there, but unfortunately it will set him back a bit.”
Killahena added: “He’s an unbelievable horse for us and didn’t cost a whole pile – hopefully we get him back soon and he can go on to continue to do well.”
https://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/56c06460-e258-4253-b1dd-f725b17cd2a5.jpg468935https://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/geegeez_banner_new_170x78.png2025-03-16 17:23:532025-03-16 17:23:53Yellow Car set for spell on the sidelines due to setback
On January 28, Harry Redknapp received the news he had been terrified of hearing from Ben Pauling.
All trainers dread having to ring an owner to inform them of an injured member of their string, even more so when it’s a Grade One winner with the world at his feet and with the Cheltenham Festival the next destination on his path to stardom.
However, after The Jukebox Man was cruelly ruled out for the season, there now appears to be light at the end of the tunnel after the Naunton Downs handler delivered a positive bulletin on his exciting gelding’s well-being.
Harry Redknapp (left) with trainer Ben Pauling (centre) and jockey Ben Jones (right) (Steven Paston for The Jockey Club/PA)
“The Jukebox Man is great and it’s all really positive,” said Pauling.
“It’s a phone call you never want to make and I speak to Harry every day. But as soon as I told him, he said it was the call he had been dreading for a month because when you are as competitive and successful as Harry is, to have a horse at that level is where he wants to be.
“However, all of the main bandages are now off and there’s no swelling. He’s sound and he will probably start his walker work soon. From where we were, we’re delighted.”
The Jukebox Man had shot towards the top of the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase betting after dazzling as an odds-on favourite in the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day.
It was a popular victory among those in attendance at the Sunbury track, as the FA Cup-winning manager registered his first Grade One triumph as an owner.
And although Redknapp’s pride and joy will not be able to make up for last year’s agonising Cheltenham Festival reversal this month, Pauling is confident there will be many great days ahead after the seven-year-old’s pleasing recovery.
“It was an extraordinary one for me, as I’ve never had a Grade One runner that was odds-on and that is the scenario where anything other than a win is a disaster,” continued Pauling.
“But he travelled and he jumped and just took it up when he wanted – and it was perfect. I think the crowd on Boxing Day really appreciated the performance he put in.
Harry Redknapp is no stranger to sporting success (Steven Paston/PA)
“It meant so much to Harry and he was just terrified of it going wrong and it has, but it is not for long and it will do him no harm whatsoever to not go to Cheltenham this year, he doesn’t need to go there.
“Obviously, if he were fit and well, he would be going there with bells on and we’d all be excited, but it will not affect his career.”
He went on: “It (his recovery) couldn’t have gone better really and it gives you every faith. The way it has gone, touch wood, he’s almost going to be back in exercise before the summer, then he can go out and have his summer and then we can have a proper season next year. He’s going to be well handicapped.
“I think Harry has a lot to do with his popularity and I think people have latched onto him because they believe Harry and can trust Harry because he is such a nice man. To see him have a Grade One horse is great.”
https://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/278568367-scaled.jpg12802560https://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/geegeez_banner_new_170x78.png2025-03-02 16:05:282025-03-02 16:05:28Pauling provides ‘really positive’ update on The Jukebox Man
Ben Jones is praying for rain to allow Handstands to line-up in the Virgin Bet Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase on Saturday week, as he continues to relish his dream season in the saddle aboard Ben Pauling’s aces.
The Welshman has become an integral part in Pauling’s thriving string and is currently well on track to eclipse last year’s career best number of winners.
One of the star performers in the trainer/jockey combination’s budding association is the Radford Family-owned Handstands, who has looked the full package this season since sent novice chasing.
Winner of the Grade Two Esher Novices’ Chase before Christmas, he added a second at that level when claiming the rearranged Towton Novices’ Chase in impressive style at Ffos Las recently, with a first attempt at the highest level over fences now looming back at Sandown on February 1.
“Handstands has come out of Ffos Las brilliantly, when he came back into the paddock after the race you wouldn’t have thought he had a race, he was absolutely bouncing,” said Jones.
“I would have been fairly shocked if it turned out he was tired a week after and thankfully he has come out of the race right as rain, so hopefully we get a drop of rain so we can head to Sandown.
“It would be brilliant to take him back to Sandown and I think he is a horse who deserves to run in a Grade One as well.
“He’s a horse who did well as a novice hurdler, but he went to Cheltenham and something wasn’t quite right that day. He’s come back this season and done everything correctly so far over fences and has picked up a couple of Grade Twos, but it would be nice if he could grab a Grade One.”
Jockey Ben Jones celebrates aboard The Jukebox Man (Steven Paston for The Jockey Club/PA)
As well as Handstands, Jones is in the enviable position of riding a stellar squad being prepared at Pauling’s Naunton Downs base – including the likes of Fiercely Proud and Leader In The Park.
However, the best could be The Jukebox Man, who provided Jones with his first Grade One victory when backing up his taking Newbury chasing bow by landing the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day.
Owned by FA Cup-winning manager Harry Redknapp, The Jukebox Man is poised to head straight to the Cheltenham Festival, giving the 25-year-old plenty to dream about ahead of the spring.
Ben Jones (right) with Harry Redknapp (left) and trainer Ben Pauling (Steven Paston for the Jockey Club/PA)
Jones added: “I’ve never been in a position to have this kind of ammunition behind me before and I’m really grateful to Ben and the team for believing in me and putting me on them – luckily so far it is working well.
“I take each day as it comes and you never know in this sport, but The Jukebox Man is very exciting, he’s the best horse I’ve handled.
“I’m really looking forward to the future with him and fingers crossed, it could be exciting at Cheltenham.”
https://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/278660978-scaled.jpg12802560https://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/geegeez_banner_new_170x78.png2025-01-23 11:28:572025-01-23 11:28:57Ben Jones hoping for rain ahead of Grade One challenge for Handstands
Ben Pauling will decide on The Jukebox Man’s Cheltenham target when he has a better idea what the ground is going to be like in March.
An impressive winner of the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase on Boxing Day, he provided owner Harry Redknapp and jockey Ben Jones with a first Grade One winner.
The victory was over three miles, but he made a winning chasing debut over two and a half and Pauling would not be afraid to drop him to two miles for the Arkle if the ground is soft at the Festival, with no option over the intermediate trip now available.
“He’s all good, we’re very happy with how he is and everything will lean towards Cheltenham now and the forecast will determine what sort of race we run him in,” said Pauling.
“He was a bit sore on his heels the day after but that was only superficial, his legs are all fine and everything, but he’s just enjoying a few easy days.
“I think his jumping was exceptional, you don’t see many horses jump that fluently, let alone a novice, it was really something to watch and I think that will stand him in very good stead for later in the spring. Jumping that effectively is going to be a big bonus.
“Also, he jumped gun-barrel straight, which even I was surprised at, I honestly thought he’d move left at some point but he was as straight as a die.
“It was a foot-perfect performance really and he looked very good travelling in behind and had plenty of tactical speed when Ben needed it.”
https://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/278569145-scaled.jpg12802560https://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/geegeez_banner_new_170x78.png2024-12-29 13:43:162024-12-29 13:43:16Ground key to The Jukebox Man’s Festival date
Harry Redknapp’s The Jukebox Man showed a completely different side to his game in running out a ready winner of the Ladbrokes Kauto Star Novices’ Chase at Kempton Park.
The former football manager went through agony when seeing his pride and joy agonisingly caught at the Cheltenham Festival in March, but based on this display there are plenty of big days ahead of him.
On his chasing debut at Newbury he went straight to the front and put in some exuberant leaps along the way to winning a Grade Two.
Stepped up to Grade One company and facing an extra half a mile, Ben Jones was happy to take a lead on this occasion.
TOP CLASS!
The Jukebox Man wins the Grade 1 Kauto Star Novices' Chase with plenty to spare.
Trained by Ben Pauling, the heavily-backed 4-6 favourite settled beautifully, and whether he met a fence on a long stride or a short one, his jumping was immaculate.
To Hyland’s credit he tried to make a race of it, but The Jukebox Man had so much scope over his fences that at every obstacle he was gaining ground.
The pace really quickened approaching the second-last, and with The Jukebox Man low and quick over it the race was soon over.
He jumped the final fence cleanly to ran out a two-and-a-half-length winner, giving his rider a first victory at the highest level.
The Jukebox Man jumped brilliantly (John Walton/PA)
“Ben (Pauling) still feels there is improvement in him,” said Redknapp.
“He normally goes off and is ‘catch me if you can’ but Ben told Ben to sit in behind and he tracked Hyland and picked him off. He said the first time round it was just having a canter round, he was going so easy he always thought he was going to win. It’s nice.
“It’s fantastic, you come into the game to have horses to have days like this. I love it and it’s my passion and I’ve been very lucky. Ben has been a great judge and great trainer of my horses.
“He’s a lovely horse and has had sore heels all week, Ben was really worried about running him. He’s probably the best I’ve had, he’s probably better than Shakemup’Arry who won for me at Cheltenham and has great potential.
“The dream is back to Cheltenham and I was nervous. I watched every jump and holding my breath, it’s worse than football managing.”
Pauling said: “It’s a few years since I’ve won a Grade One, Willoughby Court was my last one
“It’s a huge relief and it’s been an interesting week at home working on his heels to make sure he was here in good health because he had a few sores on his heels and it hasn’t been that smooth. To get him here and get him to win, I know he can be better and it’s very exciting.
“It’s amazing for Harry and the whole team has been phenomenal. It’s been early mornings, late nights, but we’re there. Above water I’ve been a swan, but below I’ve been paddling.
“I doubt he will run again before Cheltenham and he’ll have entries in both the Arkle and Brown Advisory. If it came up heavy and he is feeling A1, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him in an Arkle. I think in heavy ground when he’s A1 he could jump anything into submission.”
The Jukebox Man looks booked for the top (John Walton/PA)
A jubilant Jones said: “Absolutely buzzing and it is what dreams are made of.
“All week I’ve been like my little girl before Christmas, absolutely revved – but not for Christmas, for Boxing Day. I’m absolutely delighted and it couldn’t have gone better.
“I don’t know how good he is going to be, but he’s the best I’ve ever ridden and if he keeps on winning he keeps the dream still alive. I’ll say we will see him in March now.
“He’s very versatile, has lots of gears, a high cruising speed and also stays three miles. I would say it is one of those where we he will probably be in both (Arkle and Brown Advisory) and it will be ground dependent. It wouldn’t bother me him not running before March. “
https://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/cd44c3fe-b338-45b0-9300-cdeedd7f707f.jpg7361472https://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/geegeez_banner_new_170x78.png2024-12-26 13:43:452024-12-26 14:05:28The Jukebox Man hits all the right notes for Harry Redknapp
Cheltenham Festival runner-up The Jukebox Man made a successful start to his career over fences for owner Harry Redknapp in the Coral John Francome Novices’ Chase at Newbury.
Having seen his colours carried to a first victory at the showpiece meeting by Shakem Up’arry the previous afternoon, the popular former football manager looked set to complete a famous Festival double in the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle on Gold Cup day in March, only for The Jukebox Man to be caught in the shadow of the post by Stellar Story.
The six-year-old was thrown straight into Grade Two company on his chasing debut by trainer Ben Pauling and went off the 9-4 joint-favourite alongside Captain Teague, who was bidding to complete a treble on the card for Paul Nicholls.
The two market leaders were the front two in the race for much of the two-and-a-half-mile contest, with The Jukebox Man holding sway and jumping accurately under Ben Jones.
While Captain Teague faltered in the home straight, The Jukebox Man certainly did not, galloping on strongly – albeit lugging to his left – from the final fence to repel the late thrust of Masaccio by two lengths.
Johnnywho finished third, with Captain Teague ultimately a little disappointing in fourth.
Pauling said: “Barters Hill was an exceptional talent and I think he might be the same.
The Jukebox Man ridden by Ben Jones on their way to winning the Coral John Francome Novices’ Chase (Bradley Collyer/PA)
“There’s loads to work on, he was a bit close to the first few and was almost in hurdling mode. Ben then did well to rein him in and just pop him down the back.
“He’s a big horse, that’s his run of the season and he’s going to improve a ton. All mine do, so it could be quite exciting, hopefully.
“I had in my head he wasn’t just a dour stayer, he’s slow at home but on the track he finds another gear and I thought he had a touch of class, so dropping him back to two and a half was always my plan.
“I was unsure on this ground we’d have the gears, but we did and it opens up a lot of options. We’ll see what we do between now and March.”
Harry Redknapp watching The Jukebox Man in action at the Cheltenham Festival (Joe Giddens/PA)
A jubilant Jones told ITV Racing: “That was unbelievable, to land a Grade Two like that for Ben who has obviously given me the job (as stable jockey) this year – it means a lot to me.
“He’s been so good (schooling) at home, a little bit too brave, but he took a chance at the water jump and one down the back and I’d say that’s done him the world of good because he measured his fences really well after that.
“He’s the best horse I’ve ever sat on, without a shadow of a doubt. I felt like I cantered round and just quickened up the home straight.”
https://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/278340823-scaled.jpg12802560https://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/geegeez_banner_new_170x78.png2024-11-29 14:37:372024-11-29 14:37:37The Jukebox Man proves a big hit on fencing bow
Harry Redknapp knows plenty about sporting excellence and his exciting chasing prospect The Jukebox Man makes his eagerly-awaited fences bow in the Coral John Francome Novices’ Chase at Newbury on Friday.
The former football manager won the FA Cup with Portsmouth and also guided Tottenham Hotspur in the Champions League during his decorated career in the dugout, but it is Ben Pauling who oversees The Jukebox Man’s preparations on the equine training grounds.
The Gloucestershire handler has been excited by what he has seen from the seven-year-old when schooling over the larger obstacles and having gone close to Grade One glory at both the Cheltenham Festival and Aintree in the spring, is confident his charge can make his mark in this new discipline.
Pauling said: “It’s great to be getting started and it’s been a slow old autumn because of the weather with him. But he came through his racecourse gallop at Newbury very well and in his schooling he’s been electric – we’re looking forward to seeing him just as much as everyone else.
“Being honest, the chase course is good to soft, soft in places and although I think he’ll be perfectly fine on that we are dropping back in trip. Even though I don’t think that will be a negative, it will be the quickest ground he will have run on over two and a half miles.
“I fully expect him to jump and travel nicely. It’s a very deep race for the six runners that are there, but he goes there in good order.”
The cameras were trained on Redknapp as he was seen wincing in despair following The Jukebox Man’s agonising reversal in the Albert Bartlett in March.
However, the 77-year-old – who is a big supporter of Pauling – will be a notable absentee from the paddock on this occasion.
Harry Redknapp cheering on The Jukebox Man at Cheltenham (Joe Giddens/PA)
“Annoyingly Harry can’t be there, he’s got a lunch in Cardiff he is doing a talk at,” continued Pauling.
“He’s disappointed to say the least but the horse needs to run in this race anyway.”
Standing in The Jukebox Man’s way is Paul Nicholls’ Captain Teague, who claimed the scalp of Pauling’s star performer when they clashed in the Challow Hurdle at this track last season.
He was awarded a walkover on his intended chasing bow at Exeter earlier this month and Nicholls is keen to unleash him over the larger obstacles.
Captain Teague (right) and The Jukebox Man (centre) locking horns in the Challow Hurdle (David Davies/PA)
He told Betfair: “He won the Persian War and the Challow last season before disappointing at Cheltenham in the spring when he was never quite right along with several others in the yard.
“He is in top order now, enjoyed a gallop round Newbury last week and I’ve always thought he would make a chaser. His schooling over fences has been very good and I’d like to think he has a big chance.”
Nicholls will also be represented in the Coral Long Distance Hurdle by Pertemps hero Monmiral, another with a footballing connection and counts Sir Alex Ferguson among his owners.
However, most eyes will be on Olly Murphy’s Liverpool Hurdle hero Strong Leader as he gets his season up and running.
Strong Leader en route to winning at Aintree (Nigel French for The Jockey Club/PA)
The seven-year-old has thrived since upped in trip, going close in the Cleeve Hurdle before connections’ decision to skip the Cheltenham Festival paid dividends at Aintree when he galloped to Grade One glory.
Murphy said: “He’s in good form, he’s been trained for the race and we’re looking forward to running him. Obviously it’s cut up big time so hopefully he’s the one they’ve all got to beat.
“It’s the start of what is hopefully a busy season for him, I’m expecting him to be fit enough to go and win but I’ve left a bit to work with as well.
“I don’t know why it’s cut up as bad as it did but it’s still a tight little race. I wouldn’t swap my lad, he’s got a penalty and we have bigger targets ahead but it’d be lovely to win it.”
Dual Coral Cup champion Langer Dan and Deborah Cole’s Flight Deck also head to post in a select field of four.
Langer Dan after winning at Cheltenham (Mike Egerton/PA)
The former finished the season with real zest when following up his Cheltenham Festival success with near misses behind Impaire Et Passe at both Aintree and Sandown, but trainer Dan Skelton has sounded his yearly warning about Langer Dan’s early-season form.
Skelton told Ladbrokes: “It’s disappointing that only four horses have turned up for this one, but that’s a sign of the kind of horses that you need to compete at this level.
“There’s a couple of 160 horses in here. Langer Dan is always better in the spring, in my opinion, but I’ve done as much work as I can with him and we’ll see how we get on.”
https://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/275624903-scaled.jpg12802560https://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/geegeez_banner_new_170x78.png2024-11-28 11:24:422024-11-28 13:40:15All eyes on The Jukebox Man for Newbury fencing debut
Harry Redknapp was overjoyed to see his Bowtogreatness register his first win over fences in the BetVictor’s Weekend Winners Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase at Newbury.
Former football manager Redknapp has thrown himself fully into racehorse ownership and celebrated at the Cheltenham Festival in March when his Shakem Up’Arry won the Plate.
Trained by Ben Pauling and ridden by Ben Jones, Bowtogreatness (6-1) put in some prodigious leaps on the way round and held off Kim Bailey’s highly-regarded Destroytheevidence by a length and three-quarters.
“He jumped fantastic today. He travelled great and jumped great, but he is a good horse,” Redknapp told Sky Sports Racing.
“Things have dropped right for him today, he’s a beautiful looking horse and Ben gave him a good ride, he kept a bit up his sleeve.
“It’s nice to get a winner here, I love coming here. It’s a great track. I was like a kid at Christmas last night I was so excited, I just love coming here, it’s a really good day out.
“I’ll be back for a few more meetings before the end of the season.”
Stellar Story (left) pipped The Jukebox Man at Cheltenham (David Davies/PA)
As well as his Cheltenham winner, Redknapp also went close with The Jukebox Man, who was agonisingly caught close home in the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle after leading for much of the race.
He said: “I’m excited about Jukebox. Ben is delighted with him, he’s going chasing this year and hopefully he’s got a good future.
“Every time I speak to Ben he says he doesn’t want to sound too excited, so we’ll just keep our fingers crossed.
“Shakem Up’Arry is well too after winning at Cheltenham. He’s ready to go again, but I don’t know where he’ll start as he’s waiting for rain. When we get some cut in the ground, he’ll be out.”
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Harry Redknapp’s Cheltenham Festival hero Shakem Up’Arry has a date with Aintree’s Grand National fences on the agenda – but time will tell whether he lines up for the big race itself or the Randox Topham Handicap Chase 24 hours earlier.
The Ben Pauling-trained 10-year-old – who is named after a West Ham supporter who used to instruct the former Irons manager to ‘Shakem Up’Arry’ on matchdays – gave the well-known football boss his first victory at National Hunt’s showpiece meeting with a brilliant display in the TrustATrader Plate.
It was a performance which backed up his win at Prestbury Park on New Year’s Day and while in the form of his life, connections are relishing the prospect of tackling Aintree’s famous spruce next month.
“He’s got an entry in the National and the Topham and he will run in one of them,” said Pauling.
“A lot will depend on the next confirmation stage of the National when we will see where we are, but we don’t have to make a decision until nearer the time and to be honest he’s only going to be ticking over and pop over one or two fences in preparation.
“He’s come out of Cheltenham really well and we’re looking forward to Aintree with him.”
Shakem Up’Arry has never won over further than an extended two and a half miles in his career to date, but Pauling believes his Festival champion would not let the side down if Redknapp decides to take a shot at the world’s most famous steeplechase.
Jockey Ben Jones celebrates with Harry Redknapp after winning at Cheltenham (David Davies for the Jockey Club/PA)
“First off we need to get into the National and if we did, which race he runs in will come down to the personal preference of Harry and if he wants a runner in the National or whether he wants to go to the Topham,” explained Pauling.
“You never know if a horse is going to stay the trip of a National, but he travels and jumps so well you could see him probably running a big race. It’s just a case of what happens when you cross the Melling Road and go to another level.
“It will be a case of weighing up the pros and cons, but you would think he would be a good sight over the fences, he certainly wouldn’t be backing off them, that’s for sure.”
Pauling was finding the scoresheet at the Festival for the fourth time with Shakem Up’Arry, but was thrilled to see one of his long-time supporters break his duck with a horse who has always been a popular member of the the handler’s Naunton Downs string.
Shakem Up’arry in action at Cheltenham (Adam Davy/PA)
He said: “You want success for all your owners, but for someone like Harry who has been a competitive man throughout his life in the football industry, it was amazing to give him a day like that on the biggest stage in racing which he adores so much and is a big supporter of.
“We are just delighted for the horse, he is always one we have adored and to get some big victories into him like the last two means the world really.
“He improved to win at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day and we knew he would need to improve again and he did. It appears the wind op we did in the summer has worked nicely and it was a foot-perfect round of jumping. He was big and bold when he needed to be over the last few before staying on strongly up the hill.”
Although there was joy for Shakem Up’Arry, there was agony a day later when what looked like a Festival double for Paling and Redknapp courtesy of The Jukebox Man was thwarted at the very last moment by the rallying Stellar Story.
The Jukebox Man jumped the final flight of the Albert Bartlett with a narrow advantage (Mike Egerton/PA)
The Challow Hurdle third proved he is very much a high-class performer in the making when making the running in the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle, the six-year-old and his pilot Kielan Woods leaving many well-touted rivals trailing in their wake before being reeled in late in the day.
However, Pauling is taking plenty of positives from the narrow reversal and is excited for next year’s novice chasing campaign after one more possible outing this term.
“He’s always been a horse we have liked and I think the Albert Bartlett has told us an awful lot really – it’s put him on the map as a proper Grade One contender going forward,” he added.
“I think he will be better for a fence, he lost nothing in defeat and he’s an exciting one for next year.
Harry Redknapp reacts to The Jukebox Man getting chinned at Cheltenham (Joe Giddens/PA)
“We purposely gave him plenty of time between the Challow and Albert Bartlett because I thought the Challow would take a bit out of him and it did. But he seems to have come out of this one very well.
“Whether he goes to Aintree for the Sefton or over to Punchestown, I’m not sure. But we will take each day as it comes and he has sort of done his job this year I think.
“However, if he was in sparkling form the week before Aintree we might just give him an entry and see where we are.”
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It was deemed a “score draw” between the punters and the layers heading into the final day of the Cheltenham Festival after football encroached heavily on racing’s pitch on day three
The backers got off to a fast start when 5-2 joint -avourite Grey Dawning gave the flying Dan Skelton team victory in the Turners Novices’ Chase, but the bookmakers clawed back some momentum after Sir Alex Ferguson’s pair Monmiral (25-1) and Protektorat (17-2) gave the former Manchester United boss a thrilling day at Prestbury Park.
And although the bookies were able to cheer home Jeremy Scott’s Golden Ace later on the card, victories for well-backed favourites Teahupoo and Inothewayurthinkin ensured many a punter left the Cotswolds track with their pockets bursting at the seams.
Jack Kennedy celebrates aboard Teahupoo (Mike Egerton/PA)
“Grey Dawning got punters off to a great start, while Monmiral and Protektorat had their supporters – possibly Manchester United fans – as did Harry Rednkapp’s Shakem Up’Arry, and Teahupoo and Inothewayurthinkin were also very well-backed winning favourites,” said Coral’s David Stevens.
“Golden Ace was our best result of the day, beating the Irish stars in the Mares’ Novice Hurdle, but in footballing terms, it’s a score draw as we head into the biggest betting day of the week.”
Lawrence Lyons, spokesperson for BoyleSports, added: “We were on a rollercoaster ride on Thursday with some big results going in our favour, but Gordon Elliott got in on the act and the favourite in the last race also gave punters plenty to cheer about ahead of a decisive day.
“It’s 2-1 to the punters at this stage, but it’s all to play for on Gold Cup Friday.”
One football-loving racing fan was in clover on St Patrick’s Thursday as their £5 multiple on three horses owned by famous footballing names returned a whopping £16,195.
Harry Redknapp, owner of Shakem Up’arry after winning at Cheltenham (Mike Egerton/PA)
After Ferguson’s Monmiral and Protektorat had found the target to kick off the hat-trick bid it was Redknapp’s Shakem Up’Arry who sealed the 3,239-1 treble for the lucky punter.
Betfair’s Barry Orr said: “The punter must not only be a racing fan, but also a big football fan.
“The two ex-bosses are massive racing enthusiasts and Cheltenham is the Champions League of the horseracing world, so for both to score on the biggest stage is a great result.”
https://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/275615971-scaled.jpg12802560https://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/geegeez_banner_new_170x78.png2024-03-14 18:19:452024-03-14 18:19:45‘Score draw’ between bookies and punters on football-themed day at Cheltenham
Sir Alex Ferguson had the upper hand when meeting Harry Redknapp’s teams on the football pitch and he outscored his old rival two winners to one on the third day of the Cheltenham Festival.
The big meeting was in danger of becoming more than a bit predictable with Willie Mullins recording a double on each of the first two days – but it was livened in some style up by wins for a couple of celebrity owners.
Ferguson, the former Aberdeen and Manchester United manager, has thrown himself into racing ownership since his retirement and has recently been enjoying great success with a horse he bred himself, Spirit Dancer, winning valuable prizes in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia recently.
He has owned horses for a long time with friends Ged Mason and John Hales, and while they have had very good horses and won a host of good races, together they had failed to scale the Cheltenham Festival heights.
Sir Alex Ferguson (centre) with John Hales (left) and Ged Mason (David Davies/PA)
That all changed in a magical 40-minute spell on Thursday when first the Paul Nicholls-trained Monmiral caused a big shock in the Pertemps Final and then Protektorat, third in the Gold Cup a few years ago, returned to his best to win the Ryanair Chase on an equally special day for Dan Skelton.
Ferguson – who together with Hales, Mason and Peter Done paid a record €740,000 for Caldwell Potter at the sales in February – said: “I’ve finally had a winner here. Two in 40 minutes! It’s unbelievable, isn’t it? It’s a special place.
“It has been probably 20 years that I’ve wanted to have a winner here, as when I first started I just had Flat horses and no National Hunt ones.
“I got interested in the jumps with Ged and John. It 100 per cent makes it more enjoyable having a winner with friends. Everyone looks forward to Cheltenham, while on the Flat you have the Derby. These two events are unsurpassed.
“It’s special here, it’s like the Derby or the FA Cup final and I’ve waited a while to experience this. A lot of people who buy horses have never had a winner, never mind here. It’s a feeling of elation.
“Of course it’s not the same as winning at football, that was my life, I was immersed in that, this is what I do for pleasure so it’s a different feeling. I don’t have to worry about it, I leave that to the trainer.”
Harry Redknapp (right) with jockey Ben Jones and Shakem Up’Arry (Mike Egerton/PA)
Redknapp echoed Ferguson’s sentiment as he also celebrated his first Festival success after years of trying.
His Shakem Up’Arry, who won the TrustATrader Plate Handicap Chase, got his name from Redknapp’s time at West Ham when a fan used to sit behind him and shout ‘shake ’em up, Arry’.
Redknapp said: “I can’t believe we’ve done it. He travelled so well and jumped the last and I thought ‘please, don’t stop now’. People were saying ‘Go on Harry, he’s won’ and I thought ‘no he ain’t!’.
“Racing has been a big part of my life. I grew up at West Ham as a player where we had a team of punters, that’s how it was back in those days. We all loved a bet, we all loved racing.
“I’ve been lucky to have got into racing as an owner and when you buy horses you dream of having a winner at Cheltenham.”
He went on: “My old nan was a bookie’s runner down our street in the east end and she used to get locked up every day for taking bets! To be here now in this position is incredible.
“My main worry is that they get round safe, I jump every jump with them and think ‘please don’t fall or get hurt’. When they come back safe and sound, especially in front, it’s all the better.
“It’s great for Sir Alex to have a winner as well, we had some great days. Going into his office at Old Trafford at quarter past two when the teams were out and we’d watch a bit of racing for 15 minutes and then we’d go out and I’d do my best to try and pull off a miracle and get a result!
“We both loved the racing and we both loved the football. For him to get two winners today is great and for me to get a winner is fantastic.”
One lucky Betfair punter put all three horses in a £5 accumulator they were calling ‘The Gaffers Treble’. It returned £16,195.
Betfair spokesperson Barry Orr said: “The punter must not only be a racing fan, but also a big football fan. The two ex-bosses are massive racing enthusiasts and Cheltenham is the Champions League of the horseracing world, so for both to score on the biggest stage is a great result.”
https://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/d9096335-1a8b-4891-b65c-bd690a32271c.jpg5401080https://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/geegeez_banner_new_170x78.png2024-03-14 17:46:582024-03-14 17:46:58Fergie and Redknapp put football on the scoresheet at Cheltenham
Harry Redknapp enjoyed a first Cheltenham Festival winner as Shakem Up’Arry found the scoresheet on a football-orientated day three of the Cheltenham Festival.
Having watched his former managerial rival Sir Alex Ferguson notch a double earlier on the card, it was soon the turn of the former West Ham, Portsmouth and Tottenham boss to return to the Prestbury Park winner’s enclosure with his course specialist – who supplemented his New Year’s Day triumph here in great style.
Sent off at 8-1 for the TrustATrader Plate Handicap Chase, the Ben Pauling-trained 10-year-old travelled supremely in the hands of Ben Jones and having jumped the last already looking the winner, he stuck his head down and galloped all the way to the line.
The victory continued Pauling’s fine run of recent form, with the Naunton Downs handler registering a fourth Festival success. However, it was a first victory for 24-year-old Jones at the meeting having only once previously enjoyed success at the Cotswolds track – aboard Shakem Up’Arry on the duo’s previous start.
Harry Redknapp congratulates Ben Jones (Mike Egerton/PA)
Redknapp said: “Oh my god, get in there. How good was that? He jumped for fun, what a performance. I’m so happy, it’s unbelievable. My nan got me into racing, she was a bookie’s runner when she was young and every week she’d get locked up in the police station in the east end of London because betting was illegal in those days. She got me into it and I love every minute, I love the people, I love the racing. To have a winner at the Festival, my god, I can’t tell you.
“Me and Alex (Ferguson) both love it, it’s great to see him have two winners today and I’ve had mine now, it’s been a great day.
“To have a winner at Cheltenham, I’ve watched it all my life and always dreamed of having a winner here, I can’t tell you how great it feels.”
Pauling said of his winner: “He deserved his big day. It’s so important to have winners here and the last two days have been really tough. There’s a lot of talk about the Irish and English and to say we don’t have the hunger for this game is daft.
“We’ve got as much hunger as anyone, Dan Skelton has proved that. I was delighted for him, but it doesn’t mean that we didn’t want one.
Harry Redknapp cannot believe his eyes (Joe Giddens/PA)
“I turned up with three horses yesterday that I thought would be in the first three and I think we beat three horses home. You have doubts and think you’ve done too much with them or whatever. This is where it matters and once you get one get their head in front, you can breathe.
“We’ve come here with a good team and the old stalwart has chucked his head in front.”
He added: “I know this meant a lot to Harry who has been a supporter of mine for a long time. We speak quite a lot and he’s an easy man to talk to. We’ve had good and bad times.
“It was a long run-in and I was shouting ‘pull him left Benny’. I’m Just delighted for Harry who is a competitive man.”
The Jukebox Man will not be seen again until the spring following his fine third in Newbury’s Challow Hurdle.
Owned by football great Harry Redknapp, he was bought for £70,000 after impressing in the pointing field and since being beaten by the well-regarded Gidleigh Park on his rules debut, he has barely put a foot wrong for trainer Ben Pauling.
Two novice hurdle victories saw him stepped up in class for the final Grade One of 2023 and although failing to come away with victory, the six-year-old was less than two lengths adrift of eventual winner Captain Teague after being involved in a prolonged battle with both the Paul Nicholls-trained scorer and runner-up Lookaway up the Newbury straight.
That gives Pauling confidence that he has a special performer under his care and after being given plenty of time to recover from his Challow exertions, The Jukebox Man will be prepared for big-race targets in the spring.
He said: “We are really lucky at the moment to have some smart young horses, but he is definitely up there with the best of them.
“He’s particularly suited by that sort of ground and I’m not saying he does not have the speed or class for better ground, but I think he handles the soft very well.
“I thought he ran a lovely race and jumped particularly well and travelled strongly. Although four of them finished within two lengths of each other, rather than say the race wasn’t that strong, I think you probably have four nice horses.
“Lookaway brought very strong handicap form to the race and the others are very unexposed horses who have done nothing wrong in their preparation and are hopefully going to be smart horses for years to come.”
Pauling continued: “He won’t run again now until the spring. I just feel the Challow is always a gruelling enough test and I don’t think we can say this year is any different.
“Amazingly, he has come out of it very well indeed and is as fresh as a daisy. However, I think we will be saving him for something in the spring, whether that is Cheltenham, Aintree or even Perth.
“We will look to run once or twice max before the end of the season and although I think he will stay three miles very well, ground will probably determine which route we went really.
“I think he will definitely stay three, but if it came up soft I wouldn’t be afraid to leave him at two and a half and I think he is an absolute belter. He has a brilliant attitude, loves his job and I think he is going to be a very smart horse for the future.”
Shakem Up’Arry en route to winning on New Year’s Day (Nigel French/PA)
It was an exciting few days for both Pauling and Redknapp and although they fell short in the Challow, they received the perfect compensation package at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day when Shakem Up’Arry landed the valuable Paddy Power New Year’s Day Handicap Chase by an emphatic seven and a half lengths.
It was a long-awaited victory for the 10-year-old, who had been sent off favourite for the corresponding race in 2023 and had also placed over the course and distance at the Cheltenham Festival.
“He has always been knocking on the door of a big one without quite finding what is needed to get his head in front,” continued Pauling.
“Whether that be at the Festival or whenever he ran, he always seems to turn up, but has just fallen slightly short.
Harry Redknapp was unable to be at Cheltenham to watch Shakem Up’Arry (Joe Giddens/PA)
“We just gave him a tinker with his wind in the summer and whether it is that or not, I’m not sure, but it looks to be paying dividends and it is great for both Harry and the horse to get on the board in a big one and reap the rewards for almost Harry’s patience really.
“Harry couldn’t have been much happier, he was gutted not to be there, but he has always adored this horse – I think because he is named after him. He has owned him with me since he was a three-year-old and amazingly he turned 10 the other day which is frightening.
“He has always been fond of this horse and it was lovely to see him go and do it.”
https://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/274969791-scaled.jpg12802560https://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/geegeez_banner_new_170x78.png2024-01-03 17:22:272024-01-03 17:22:27Pauling taking patient approach with The Jukebox Man
Hot on the heels of Sir Alex Ferguson tasting success with Spirit Dancer, Harry Redknapp and Michael Owen are now setting their sights on winning in Bahrain.
Former Manchester United manager Ferguson won the biggest race Bahrain has to offer in the International Trophy with a horse he also bred as the Richard Fahey-trained gelding streaked to glory.
Now Redknapp is targeting victory in the Bahrain Turf Series with Moktassab, trained by Phil McEntee, while Owen is sending over the Hugo Palmer-trained Box To Box.
Redknapp, who has been an owner for many years, said: “I am really looking forward to Moktasaab running in Bahrain. The horse has had a nice break since his last run in August and I think, like a lot of us, he will appreciate a bit of winter sunshine. Phil is very pleased with him and we hope he is back on a winning mark, having dropped a few pounds this year.
“I had a runner (Wonder Elzaam) in the first Bahrain Turf Series back in 2021, which was a lot of fun, and we will be heading out to Bahrain during the series to watch Moktasaab run.”
Owen is one of the owners of Box To Box, who finished second to Spirit Dancer at York in the summer.
“Box To Box arrives off the back of a really good season in England and he has travelled well to Bahrain,” said Palmer, ahead of the series, which starts on Friday.
“Physically the horse thrived in Bahrain last year, but he did his chances no good by being slowly away on a couple of occasions, which is unlike him. If he jumps well, then he has a lot in his favour.
“He is set to meet a couple of his former stable companions, Mr McCann and Chronograph, both of whom are now based in Bahrain, so it will be interesting to see how he gets on against them.”
Roman Dragon is another for Owen and Palmer to be making the journey.
Palmer said: “To date, all five of Roman Dragon’s wins have come around Chester’s tight turns, so the straight 1000m will be a slightly different challenge for him, but he will love the fast ground and he is fit and ready to run well. His owners were keen to experience the Bahrain Turf Series having heard good things about it.”
https://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/267263345-scaled.jpg12802560https://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/geegeez_banner_new_170x78.png2023-12-05 15:52:522023-12-05 15:52:52Redknapp and Owen aiming to emulate Ferguson in Bahrain
Brian Toomey has hailed the support of Harry Redknapp as he prepares to saddle his first runner as a trainer in the colours of the former football manager at Lingfield on Saturday.
The ex-jump jockey’s journey to the training ranks is a remarkable one, having sustained life-threatening injuries from a horror fall at Perth 10 years ago.
That incident saw the now 34-year-old spend 157 nights in hospital and placed in an induced coma for two weeks while having surgery to reduce swelling on his brain, including the removal of part of his skull.
Despite the extent of his injuries, and medics telling Toomey he had died for six seconds and was given only a three per cent chance of survival, he made a full recovery and even briefly returned to the saddle before hanging up his boots and turning his attentions to training in 2016.
Brian Toomey during his days as a jockey (Nigel French/PA)
Seven years on and he is preparing to saddle his first runner since taking up residence at Bowstridge Farm in Chalfont St Giles and being granted a dual-purpose licence by the British Horseracing Authority.
Toomey admits it has been a far from straightforward journey to reach this proud moment, but it is the Irishman’s determined attitude that first attracted the attention of Redknapp, whose Wake Up Harry will line-up for the new handler in division one of the one-mile Gamble Responsibly At BetMGM Handicap.
He said: “I’m blessed with the contacts and connections I have made and my first runner is for Harry Redknapp, who has been very encouraging to me throughout my path towards my goal. It’s a massive privilege and very exciting.
“Harry respects and admires my drive and determination he has said, and it’s one of the reasons he has supported me. He said ‘listen, you have never given up’ – and I’m very lucky.”
I am extremely excited to have my first runner @lingfieldpark on Saturday, owned by @harryredknapp which is a huge privilege. I feel incredibly lucky to have achieved this 10 years on from my near fatal fall pic.twitter.com/h0XGSN0JOx
Toomey went on: “It hasn’t been easy, I won’t lie. I come from a non-racing background and it is something I have had to go out and achieve myself.
“I have been talking about it for a very long time and people probably thought ‘is this going to ever happen?’, but an opinion is not a fact and I knew in my head this is something I was always working towards and something I was going to achieve if I could.
“I am very passionate about training and nothing has been handed to me and hopefully I can prove I can do it. I am very focussed on making it a success if I can.”
Toomey’s carefully selected Buckinghamshire base is in the ideal spot to target a whole host of racecourses and he hopes that Redknapp isn’t the only famous face he can attract to his yard as he develops both the facilities and his string.
“I’ve got a few horses that will be ready to run before the year ends,” the trainer added.
“I’m hoping to pick up some more support before the year ends, but I’ve been blessed to have the support I already have.
“I’m at Chalfont St Giles in Buckinghamshire. It is a lovely part of the country and only 24 miles from central London – and there are a lot of famous names around Chalfont St Giles and you never know, hopefully I may be able to attract a few of them.
“I’m only an hour away from Lingfield and 45 minutes from Kempton and places like that, so it is very central and there are plenty of racecourses around.”
https://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/223537908.jpg12182436https://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/geegeez_banner_new_170x78.png2023-11-17 11:40:062023-11-17 11:40:06Rookie trainer Brian Toomey grateful for Redknapp support
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