The Jukebox Man Heads Ben Pauling’s Best Cheltenham Gold Cup Bid

Ben Pauling told assembled press at Naunton Downs on Monday morning, February 23, that he believes this could be “the best team I’ve had,” and he pointed to The Jukebox Man as the yard’s leading hope for the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup. Owner Harry Redknapp and jockey Ben Jones joined Pauling for the media stable tour, and a photo by Andrew Matthews/PA shows Jones, Pauling and Redknapp standing left-right alongside the eight-year-old.

The Jukebox Man has been campaigned at the top level this season, including a trip to Kempton for the King George VI Chase which Pauling used to underline the horse’s progression. “In the King George he had a lot to answer. He was only rated 158, he had to step forward 15lb and he did,” Pauling said, and coverage notes his victory at Kempton as proof that he is among the best staying chasers in training. Pauling believes Cheltenham will suit him better than the King George, and one report referenced market chatter that “it is currently 5-1 the field for the Festival highlight,” underlining growing confidence around the Gold Cup market.

Pauling stressed the depth behind The Jukebox Man, naming a slate of Festival targets. Handstands is winless in three starts this season but carries strong form from earlier in the campaign, including two defeats of Gold Cup favourite Jango Baie in the Sidney Banks and Scilly Isles and having been sent off favourite in last season’s Grade 1 Mildmay Novices' Chase. Kicour La is aimed at the Albert Bartlett and was listed as a 66-1 chance in Racing Post coverage. Diva Luna is being prepared for the Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase. Mambonumberfive has “a variety of options” after a poor run on heavy ground at Warwick, while Pic Roc is pencilled in for the National Hunt Chase if he can jump.

The stable tour mixed business with banter. Sportinglife captured Harry Redknapp, clad in a John Motson-style sheepskin-collared coat, admitting: “I actually missed a trick because I should’ve bought The Jukebox Kid!” Pauling replied, “I tried to sell him to you. For three months. You just kept saying Ben, Ben, Ben, lightning doesn’t strike twice.” Redknapp laughed back, “I’d already got 25, Ben, I didn’t need another one!” The Jukebox Kid was described as a “one that got away,” but Sportinglife noted Redknapp remains content “when you’ve got a live hope for the Gold Cup and an up-and-coming youngster making his way through the ranks.”

Pauling placed his string in the wider Festival picture, acknowledging Irish dominance but urging competition: “We are very aware how dominant the Irish have been. But I do believe we have some more competitive horses coming through. As for the Prestbury Cup, while it’s more likely the Irish win it, it might be just by two or three and not be 15. We’ve got Nicky and Paul, but it’s now down to the younger brigade and we can’t just rely on Dan. I think it’s my best team and I think this year some can do both Cheltenham and Aintree.” Sportinglife added that Pauling “would be disappointed if he didn’t come away from the Festival with a winner this year,” a rare public bar set for the Naunton Downs yard.

Pauling and Redknapp also recorded a video update about The Jukebox Man ahead of the Festival, and Vanderpoel was pictured leading the Gold Cup contender on the gallops, a final visual cue that Pauling’s confident claim about his best-ever team comes backed by action on the ground.