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THE JUKEBOX MAN has delivered the perfect late Christmas present at Kempton.
We were absolutely delighted with his success in the Kauto Star Novice Chase.
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Leader In The Park began the day with a win in the initial handicap, making it a significant achievement for us to score a double on King George day.
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The Jukebox Man continues to amaze us, emerging from the race in excellent shape. While he is a bit stiff and sore in his heels, there’s nothing to worry about, and he handled the race exceptionally well.
His jumping was impressively efficient, displaying his growing versatility.
This season, he has appeared to be a true stayer who thrives on softer ground.
Nonetheless, his recent wins at Newbury and Kempton have shown his adaptability—his potential knows no bounds.
We took it a bit easy at Kempton as we returned to three miles, and he was always in command. Honestly, there was never a moment of real concern.
I was also thrilled for our jockey Ben Jones.
Every new role brings a certain level of scrutiny and pressure, especially when you’re riding renowned horses on a crucial day.
It hasn’t been entirely straightforward so far, but I had my reasons for wanting him as my jockey, and he will continue to develop in strength.
As he crossed the finish line, it was evident what winning his first Grade 1 meant to him.
Harry Redknapp was also thrilled. He’s a pleasure to train for, constantly discovering these talented horses—may this continue!
We’re heading straight to Cheltenham now with Jukebox.
Missing the two and a half-mile race is a letdown as it was a perfect fit, but we will enter him in both the two-mile and three-mile races and monitor how the ground and competition evolve.
I was at Kempton yesterday and saw Sir Gino perform outstandingly, so we’ll have to wait and see!
We’ll also look to pave a path for the Festival with Leader In The Park. If he can clinch another win, he ought to gain entry into the new novice handicap, and we have high hopes for him.
He should experience an exciting second half of the season.
We’ve got a robust team ready for Newbury today on Challow Hurdle day. I gained recognition back in 2015 when the remarkable Barters Hill won.
Now, nine years later, IT’S HARD TO KNOW (2.55 Newbury) makes his debut in Grade 1 competition in the same event.
He’s quite aptly named, as we really can’t determine how good he could possibly be at this stage.
We’ve always favored him due to how uncomplicated and easy he is to train.
He allows his performance on the track to speak for itself rather than at home, which is the hallmark of an exceptional horse. He’s two for two over hurdles, so we have to challenge him in this race despite the fierce competition.
I wouldn’t want to count him out. He may not have the flashy profile of some rivals, but his form remains solid, and he has not made a single mistake.
Paul Nicholls’ Regent’s Stroll will be a formidable opponent, and we know Dan Skelton holds The New Lion in high regard, but we’ll assess our position after this race and how it helps us outline the rest of the season.
HENRY’S FRIEND (2.20 Newbury) delivered a solid performance in the Coral Gold Cup last time around.
He clipped a fence on the back straight, which effectively ended his chances, so I was pleased to see him finish in fifth place.
This race offers a slight reduction in difficulty, and I believe he has a good chance; he should deliver a strong performance.
The ground should be ideal, and I think this setup will be just right for him.
THE GOOD DOCTOR (1.12 Newbury) also has a promising shot.
He should surely improve from his last outing at Warwick, where he finished strongly. We’ll position him well, and this course will suit him nicely.
AWAYTHELAD (3.10 Leicester) wraps up our day, and softer conditions will play to his strengths.
He wasn’t at his best at Southwell last time but is capable of being competitive.
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