Pauling provides ‘really positive’ update on The Jukebox Man

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.

“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.

“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.”