Ladbrokes Kauto Star Novices' Chase |
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| Grade 1, Kempton Park 13:20 £100,000 guaranteed, 4yo plus, 3m, Class 1  |
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1 The Jukebox Man 4/6F
2
Hyland 11/2
3 Masaccio 11/2
5 ran Distances: 2½l, 16l, 8l
Time: 6m 3.90s (slow by 9.90s)
TOP CLASS!
— Kempton Park Racecourse (@kemptonparkrace) December 26, 2024
The Jukebox Man wins the Grade 1 Kauto Star Novices' Chase with plenty to spare.
A red-letter day for owner @Redknapp, jockey @BenJone04644251 and trainer @benpauling1.@Ladbrokes pic.twitter.com/RTJNVdNbnx
The Harry Redknapp-owned The Jukebox Man showed a completely different side to his game, running out a ready winner at Kempton Park. The former football manager, who experienced the agony of seeing his pride and joy agonisingly caught at the Cheltenham Festival in March, can look forward to plenty of big days ahead based on this impressive display.
On his chasing debut at Newbury, The Jukebox Man went straight to the front and put in some exuberant leaps, securing a Grade Two victory. Stepping up to Grade One company and facing an extra half-mile, jockey Ben Jones was content to take a lead this time. Trained by Ben Pauling, the heavily-backed 4-6 favourite settled beautifully, displaying immaculate jumping whether meeting a fence on a long stride or a short one.
Despite a valiant effort from Hyland, The Jukebox Man's scope over fences saw him gain ground at every obstacle. The pace quickened approaching the second-last, and with The Jukebox Man low and quick over it, the race was effectively over. He jumped the final fence cleanly and ran out a two-and-a-half-length winner, giving his rider a first victory at the highest level.
Harry Redknapp expressed his delight, stating, “Ben (Pauling) still feels there is improvement in him. 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.”
Ben Pauling added, “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.”
A jubilant Ben 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.”
The Jukebox Man's versatility, high cruising speed, and stamina over three miles make him an exciting prospect. He will likely have entries in both the Arkle and Brown Advisory at Cheltenham, with decisions being ground-dependent.
Kauto Star Novices' Chase
(Formerly The Feltham Novices' Chase) (Grade 1)
£100,000 guaranteed, 4yo plus, 3m, Class 1,
5 ran
Going: Good, Good to Soft in places
POS. DIST HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY SP
1 The Jukebox Man 6 11-7 Ben Pauling Ben Jones 4/6F
2 2½ Hyland 7 11-7 Nicky Henderson Nico de Boinville 11/2
3 16 Masaccio 7 11-7 Alan King Tom Cannon 11/2
4 8 Welcom To Cartries 6 11-7 Paul Nicholls Harry Cobden 10/1
UR White Rhino 8 11-7 Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero Henry Brooke 12/1
