Ben Pauling admitted ‘it came as a huge shock’ last April when the Megsons moved their horses out of his yard.
The split was amicable but the trainer was ‘very sad to have lost some very smart young horses.’
Those quotes from The Racing Post nine months ago hinted that it might take some time for Pauling to find his feet again this season. But the trainer based in Gloucestershire has swiftly recovered and he’s maximising everything he has to offer.
He could quite possibly be the National Hunt jumps trainer of the year at the moment.
The Jukebox Man has been a revelation this season. Narrowly beaten in the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Chase, The Jukebox Man has been quite exquisite over his fences in his two starts this term.
He’s won stylishly on both occasions. His exuberant jumping in the Grade Two John Francome Chase at Newbury last November was a joy to behold. He put a useful field to the sword that day and won by a cosy two lengths despite dossing un the run-in.
Ben Pauling is enjoying a fine start to the season and is capable of success at Cheltenham
The Jukebox Man jumped superbly when winning the Grade One Kauto Star Novices’ Chase
He showed his versatility when stepped up to three miles on quicker ground to win the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase in Boxing Day with yet another efficient jumping display.
In beating Hyland by two and a half lengths at Kempton, there was lots to like. There was no signs of him hanging left on the sharp track and Pauling commented that he was quicker and more accurate than on debut.
He’s a 5-1 chance for the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase at March’s Cheltenham Festival and the leading light in Pauling’s yard has a fighting chance of beating a strong Irish challenge.
His jumping will put even the likes of Ballyburn and Dancing City under pressure. Two from two and wonderfully placed for a spring tilt, Pauling has placed his horses quite magnificently this season.
The Jukebox Man made his Grade One breakthrough last month just like Pauling’s No 1 rider Ben Jones did. Both star horse and star jockey are improving in tandem.
It’s not just the Jukebox Man that is calling the tune in Naunton Downs. Handstands has made his presence felt and demonstrates Pauling’s patience and ability to get horses swiftly back on track.
Handstands found the Gallagher Novices’ Hurdle at last year’s festival all too much. He then fell on chasing debut at Wincanton but he’s now won his last two races – both Grade Twos.
Handstands is another talented novice chaser at the Pauling yard and he won the Towton
Handstands showed no ill-effects from his fall when winning the Esher Novices’ Chase at Sandown by three and a half lengths from Resplendent Grey.
Yesterday’s Towton Novices’ Chase at Ffos Las was a messy affair with only two runners finishing the race – but Handstands was stamping his authority on proceedings at the fourth last. He always looked the winner and duly obliged by nine lengths.
Pauling’s unwavering belief in Diva Luna has seen plenty of good judges put her up at 14-1 for the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle.
She certainly looks to have a solid each-way chance. Bowtogreatness has a major staying spring handicap in him on good ground. Personal Ambition also looks ready to win a graded novices’ chase or a valuable handicap, too.
Pauling is sitting eighth in the British Trainers Championship but there is plenty of scope to finish higher. He’s only been training since 2013 and is on an upward trajectory.
The big challenge for aspiring trainers is making hay when a top-notcher comes around. Pauling has been able to do that with The Jukebox Man, who is owned by Harry Redknapp.
He’s a trainer that is consistently delivering and is beginning to reap the reward, with more top-quality horses coming his way.
His yard have been reliable pretty much all season long and provides punters with confidence. For those thinking of siding with Pauling at Cheltenham his record is a reasonable one for a yard that has had modest resource for so long; four winners in the last eight years.
Willoughby Court was 14-1 in the Neptune Novices’ Hurdle (2017), Le Breuil was the same price in the National Hunt Chase (2019), Global Citizen sprung a 28-1 surprise to win the Grand Annual (2022) and Shakem Up’arry was an 8-1 chance when taking out last year’s Festival Plate.
Former football manager Harry Redknapp (left) is a big supporter of the Pauling yard
To get four winners at those prices is a testament to Pauling’s ability to ready one for a big prize and he’s becoming a go-to trainer for Saturday punters to follow as more often than not you’ll get a run for your money at decent odds, too.
There have been plenty of setbacks on the way to where he is now and there is likely to be more in this unforgiving sport – but Pauling is proof that you can compete with the big guns and continue to develop.
The loss of the Megsons is now long forgotten. Pauling is doing Handstands by The Jukebox and making hay while the sun is shining.
He could easily add to his tally of four winners at the Cheltenham Festival and you’d do well to get a decent price on that.
PERFORMANCE OF THE WEEK…
Off to Fairyhouse where trainer Gavin Cromwell had a four timer. SIXANDAHALF was a wickedly impressive 12-length winner of the Mares Maiden Hurdle. Trimmed into 7-1 for the Mares Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham, she looks an obvious candidate after beating a decent enough field easily.
SELECTION OF THE WEEK…
Two graded races at Punchestown today and with the Willie Mullins yard seemingly over their small Christmas blip, LECKY WATSON and SALVATOR MUNDI can both win inan 11/4 double (William Hill). The former likes soft ground and can outstay Down Memory Lane. The chief danger for forecast players might well be Gordon Elliott’s Farren Glory in the Grade Three Novices’ Chase (12.55).
Mullins has frequently aimed some of his best two-mile novice hurdles in the Moscow Flyer (2.25) and Salvator Mundi should be capable of defying a lengthy absence to win here and justify his position at the top of the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle. Odds-on is no gimme, however, and stablemate Kel Histoire could be the sole danger.
