All eyes will be on Kempton Park this Boxing Day for a vintage renewal of the King George VI Chase, where Ben Pauling's The Jukebox Man is tipped to cause an upset and lead the field a merry dance. Owned by former football manager Harry Redknapp, the seven-year-old chaser is fancied to see off a formidable challenge from the powerful stable of Irish trainer Willie Mullins.
A Wide-Open Contest for the Boxing Day Feature
The prestigious Christmas highlight promises to be a memorable one, with a case to be made for most of the eight runners. The market is headed by the Willie Mullins-trained duo of Gaelic Warrior and Fact To File, who fought out a thrilling finish in the John Durkan Chase at Punchestown in late November. That race, however, was an exceptionally demanding return and questions remain over their ability to reproduce that form over the longer three-mile trip just 33 days later.
Meanwhile, the popular Jango Baie, last season's Arkle Trophy winner, steps up in distance for the first time after an impressive seasonal debut at Ascot. The Jukebox Man, currently trading around 6-1, presents a compelling alternative with proven stamina and a perfect preparation.
The Case for The Jukebox Man
The selection brings an ideal profile into the race. He has already demonstrated his aptitude for both the track and the three-mile trip when winning the Kauto Star Novice Chase on the same card 12 months ago. His warm-up for this assignment was far less taxing than his main rivals—a comfortable victory in a graduation chase at Haydock in mid-November. The form of that race was emphatically boosted when the runner-up, Iroko, won at Ascot last Saturday.
Although he has something to find on official ratings, The Jukebox Man remains lightly raced over fences, with this being just his fourth start. He is already a superb and assured jumper, and a strongly run King George could be the perfect scenario for him to post a career-best performance and secure a famous victory.
Friday's Other Key Selections
The day's racing action extends far beyond the King George. At Aintree, Dan Skelton's Mydaddypaddy is the ante-post favourite for the Supreme Novice Hurdle and is expected to confirm his immense promise with a first Grade One success in the 1.05 race.
Back at Kempton, the unbeaten Sir Gino is a more than able deputy for the absent Constitution Hill in the 1.55 contest. At Wetherby, the small but select field for the Rowland Meyrick Chase sees the progressive Konfusion tipped to follow up his recent Rehearsal Chase win at Newcastle.
Greg Wood's Friday tips include:
- Kempton 2.30: The Jukebox Man (nap)
- Kempton 1.20: Wendigo (next best)
- Aintree 1.05: Mydaddypaddy
- Wetherby 1.35: Konfusion
