Harry Redknapp’s horse has claimed a famous Boxing Day victory in the King George VI Chase.
The Jukebox Man was a 7-1 outsider to win the three-mile Kempton Park showpiece and galloped ahead of defending champion Banbridge, Gaelic Warrior and Jango Baie in a vintage festive feature.
It comes just days after Redknapp said he hoped his horse would ‘run like Gareth Bale’, whom he managed during their time together at Tottenham Hotspur.
‘Of course I’m nervous!’ Redknapp told Daily Mail Sport before the race. ‘I hold my breath at every fence he jumps. Every day you just hope he is safe and sound.
‘When Ben bought him, we hoped he would be okay. You know how difficult it is to get a decent one but here we are. I hope he can run like Gareth Bale!
‘You live in hope. I do lay in bed and think about him jumping the last and going clear. He did at Cheltenham, didn’t he? He was five lengths in front and then the horse he had got past battled back to beat him.
The Jukebox Man – owned by Harry Redknapp – has claimed a King George Chase VI victory
Redknapp embraced Ben Jones after claiming the stunning win at the three-mile Kempton Park
‘It was like being two-up after 90 minutes and the fourth official puts up three minutes. Then bang, bang, bang it’s 3-2. Oh my God! I’m not going there thinking: ‘we are going to win’ – how could I? You’ve got one from Nicky Henderson’s yard, Willie Mullins is sending two. But we’ve got a chance. And we’ll give it our best.’
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