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Heartbreak for Harry Redknapp as star horse The Jukebox Man to miss Cheltenham Festival with injury
He was the legendary football boss' best hope of a Festival winner
GUTTED Ben Pauling has ruled star novice The Jukebox Man out for the season.
Harry Redknapp’s chaser was one of the favourites for the 3m Brown Advisory at the Cheltenham Festival but suffered an injury on the gallops this morning.
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Pauling said in a statement to Sun Racing: “The Jukebox Man has this morning sustained an injury during his routine exercise that will sadly rule him out for the season.
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“At this early stage, the feedback from our veterinary team and the specialists is positive that we can look forward to seeing him return in the autumn.
“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.”
The seven-year-old was two from two over fences having won the Grade 2 John Francome Novices’ Chase at Newbury before following up in the Grade 1 Kauto Star at Kempton on Boxing Day.
He had been a 9-2 shot for the Brown Advisory on the Wednesday of the Festival.
'Harry is gutted'
By BEN PAULING
IT is a huge blow to the team, it’s safe to say we’re gutted.
When you get a horse of his calibre it is tough to take but hopefully we get him back for the early part of next season.
When you start the season the way he did of course we were dreaming of all the big races to come in the spring, it was so exciting.
But it is important to emphasise that it is not career ending and he has very few miles on the clock overall.
It won’t change our thoughts with him for next season and we can dream over the summer with plans for him.
It’s why this sport is such a great leveller - there are huge highs and then you can suddenly be brought back to earth. You have to stay level.
I’m gutted for Harry Redknapp too. He’s such a supportive owner and it wasn’t a pleasant phone call this morning.
He’s such a great mate and has always backed us, we talk most days but today’s chat wasn’t enjoyable. He was obviously gutted by it.
Redknapp has suffered a torrid 24 hours with 2-7 favourite Risk It All turned over in 'bizarre' scenes at Plumpton yesterday.
The Jukebox Man being ruled out of the Brown Advisory means last year's awesome Ballymore winner Ballyburn cements his position at the head of the market, at as short as 2-1.
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reported a surge of support for him as news of The Jukebox Man's injury spread after being revealed by Sun Racing, with some 72 per cent of bets on the race placed with them on Ballyburn.
The Willie Mullins-trained novice was firmly put in his place by Nicky Henderson's Sir Gino at Kempton over Christmas.
But the Closutton boss reckons the step up in trip will suit him - as it already does the new second-fav Dancing City, who Mullins also trains.
Redknapp watched on in agony at last year's Festival when The Jukebox Man was chinned in the final stride of the Albert Bartlett by Stellar Story.
But his other horse, Shakem Up'Arry gave him a memorable first Festival winner in the Plate.
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