Former football manager Harry Redknapp's burgeoning racing dream is set for its biggest test yet after his star jumper, The Jukebox Man, was confirmed among the entries for the 2026 Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Redknapp's Champion Chaser Aims for Festival Glory
The eight-year-old, trained by Ben Pauling, catapulted himself into the staying chase elite with a dramatic nose victory in the King George VI Chase at Kempton Park on Boxing Day. That success, in a thrilling three-way photo-finish, took his career earnings to £340,000 and fulfilled what Redknapp described as a "Champions League" level ambition in the sport.
Now, the unbeaten chaser – four from four over fences – is one of 33 horses nominated for the £625,000 Gold Cup on Friday, March 13. He finds himself among the leading British hopes aiming to challenge the recent dominance of Irish-trained runners in the Festival's blue riband event.
A Strong Field of British and Irish Contenders
The entries reveal a slightly stronger home challenge than last year. While only nine of the 33 entries are trained in the UK, this marks an increase from the record low of five British contenders 12 months ago, when just 19 horses were entered in total.
The Jukebox Man is joined by other notable British hopes, including Dan Skelton's Betfair Chase winner Grey Dawning, Rebecca Curtis's Irish and Welsh Grand National hero Haiti Couleurs, and Nicky Henderson's King George fourth, Jango Baie.
However, the Irish challenge remains formidable. The field includes the defending champion, Inothewayurthinkin, and the 2024 winner, the mighty Galopin Des Champs. Trainer Gavin Cromwell admitted his star, Inothewayurthinkin, has been disappointing in two runs this season but hopes a potential outing in the Irish Gold Cup can spark a revival.
"He enjoys Cheltenham and he's got the entry," said Cromwell. "He was obviously very disappointing at Christmas and hopefully we can get him back on track... It would be great to head back there with the defending champion."
Willie Mullins, trainer of Galopin Des Champs, has entered a powerful squad of nine, including Savills Chase runner-up Galopin Des Champs, 2024 Grand National winner I Am Maximus, and Gaelic Warrior, who was just denied by The Jukebox Man at Kempton. His great rival Gordon Elliott has six entries, headed by previous Gold Cup placed horse, Gerri Colombe.
Betting Suggests an Open Contest
The current Ladbrokes market reflects the competitive nature of this year's race. Inothewayurthinkin heads the betting at 5-1, with Galopin Des Champs at 6-1. The Jukebox Man and Jango Baie are joint-third favourites at 8-1.
Nicola McGeady of Ladbrokes said: "This year's Cheltenham Festival looks as open as ever, in particular the Gold Cup. The Irish have been dominating the race for years now, but it seems punters are starting to believe the British challenge can buck the trend."
All eyes will now be on the preparation of these elite chasers over the coming weeks, building towards what promises to be a fiercely contested and potentially historic renewal of the Cheltenham Gold Cup on March 13.
