In a disappointing turn of events for both owner Harry Redknapp and trainer Ben Pauling, their much-anticipated contender for the Cheltenham Festival, THE JUKEBOX MAN, has been ruled out for the remainder of the season. The setback comes in the wake of the horse sustaining an injury during routine exercise, effectively dashing any hopes of competing in the prestigious March event.
THE JUKEBOX MAN, a horse with a promising start to his chasing career, had recently demonstrated his potential by clinching the Grade One Kauto Star Novices’ Chase at Kempton Park on Boxing Day. This victory had put him in the spotlight as one of Britain’s leading hopes for the Cheltenham Festival, particularly for races like the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase. However, his season has now come to an abrupt halt due to this unfortunate injury.
The news has hit Redknapp particularly hard, as he has become increasingly involved in horse racing since retiring from football management. His passion for the sport was evident when THE JUKEBOX MAN, alongside other horses from his stable, showed remarkable performances in previous races. Redknapp’s journey in horse racing has been one of excitement and occasional heartbreak, with this latest development adding to the latter.
Trainer Ben Pauling, who shared a statement regarding THE JUKEBOX MAN‘s injury, expressed his disappointment over the situation but remained optimistic about the gelding’s recovery. The horse is expected to return to racing in the autumn, giving fans and the team something to look forward to despite the current setback.
“It is a huge blow for all involved, and every care is being taken for one of our stable’s leading lights. We will update you on his recovery in due course,” Pauling stated.
The absence of THE JUKEBOX MAN at the Cheltenham Festival is not just a blow for Redknapp and Pauling but also for British racing. With this horse out of the picture, attention will now shift to other hopefuls stepping up to fill the void left by this talented chase
