GUTTED Ben Pauling has ruled star novice The Jukebox Man out for the season.
Harry Redknapp’s chaser was one of the favourites for the 3m Brown Advisory at the Cheltenham Festival but suffered an injury on the gallops this morning.
PAFootball legend Harry Redknapp’s star Grade 1-wining horse The Jukebox Man is out of Cheltenham Festival through injury[/caption]
Pauling said in a statement to Sunracing: “The Jukebox Man has this morning sustained an injury during his routine exercise that will sadly rule him out for the season.
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“At this early stage, the feedback from our veterinary team and the specialists is positive that we can look forward to seeing him return in the autumn.
“It is a huge blow for all involved and every care is being taken for one of our stable’s leading lights.
“We will update you on his recovery in due course.”
The seven-year-old was two from two over fences having won the Grade 2 John Francome Novices’ Chase at Newbury before following up in the Grade 1 Kauto Star at Kempton on Boxing Day.
He had been a 9-2 shot for the Brown Advisory on the Wednesday of the Festival.
Redknapp has suffered a torrid 24 hours with 2-7 favourite Risk It All turned over in ‘bizarre’ scenes at Plumpton yesterday.
The Jukebox Man being ruled out of the Brown Advisory means last year’s awesome Ballymore winner Ballyburn cements his position at the head of the market.
The Willie Mullins-trained novice was firmly put in his place by Nicky Henderson’s Sir Gino at Kempton over Christmas.
But the Closutton boss reckons the step up in trip will suit him – as it already does the new second-fav Dancing City, who Mullins also trains.
Redknapp watched on in agony at last year’s Festival when The Jukebox Man was chinned in the final stride of the Albert Bartlett by Stellar Story.
But his other horse, Shakem Up’Arry gave him a memorable first Festival winner in the Plate.
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