Redknapp keeping cool as The Jukebox Man prepares to play

Friday the 13th of March is a date that might unnerve a suspicious mind. But Harry Redknapp has dealt with enough nerves to fill a fright night theatre and will not hear of being worried when The Jukebox Man steps out for the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

The 78-year-old carries those years incredibly well, and places part of the reason for his youthful demeanour on the exploits of his National Hunt horses, the majority of them housed with Ben Pauling in Naunton, Gloucestershire.

From Kempton Glory to the Blue Riband

While The Jukebox Man gave him his most prestigious win as an owner when inching home in the King George VI Chase on Boxing Day, the same horse was only narrowly denied in the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle at the 2024 Festival.

That same week, the now-retired Shakem Up’arry triumphed in the Plate Handicap Chase, with joyous scenes greeting the popular two-and-a-half-miler in the winner’s enclosure.

it’s the Champions League, the World Cup of championship racing.If we win I think me and Sandra (wife) will go home and have fish and chips! We are so tame you wouldn’t believe.

Mr Harry Redknapp

The former Tottenham Hotspur boss says he will never forget that day, recalling: “Shakem Up has a special place in my heart. He loved Cheltenham and was a super jumper that galloped with his head low to the ground. On that day everything was right and went to plan, with Ben Jones giving him a fantastic ride.

“Not long after the race Ben took me to one side and told me he thought Jukebox had a great chance of winning the Albert Bartlett. It took the wind out of my sails, but for all but the last few strides of the contest he looked the winner.

From King George Glory to the "World Cup" of Racing

“He was cruelly chinned, but it was then I knew there was another horse coming through and since going chasing he’s done everything right.”

In the King George, Ben Jones brilliantly got the gelding back up after being headed on the run-in, but a very long wait for the result of the photo ensued.

Redknapp added: “I didn’t know he’d won, as the view I had was a bit obscured, but everyone was jumping as if he had. I said wait for it, but Ben was confident he’d won although I think Sean Bowen (on Banbridge thought he’d won, so it was a tight one.”

It has been Redknapp’s dream to have a runner in the Gold Cup and since Kempton The Jukebox Man has proved solid in the market, and could challenge for favouritism on the day.

He said: “I’m trying not to get carried away. I know Max McNeil who owns No Drama This End, he was favourite for the Turners and ended up tailed off. We go into Friday hoping. I never dreamed I would have a runner in the Gold Cup so to have one with a chance is a dream.

“It would be great to have a winner. Let’s face it, it’s the Champions League, the World Cup of championship racing.

“If we win I think me and Sandra (wife) will go home and have fish and chips! We are so tame you wouldn’t believe.

“People ask me about The Jukebox Man more than football! I’ve been to those theatres for Q&;As and they all come up to me afterwards.

“They’ve not actually come to see me, they’ve just come to ask me about The Jukebox Man. If I see the boys who used to play for me, they all talk about it. Whenever I’ve bashed into any of the lads who I’ve managed or whatever, they always ask about it.”

"Economical Jumping": The Secret Weapon for the Blue Riband

Does the ex-Bournemouth manager, who watches his old team most Saturdays, believe the dream can come true in the Boodles-sponsored highlight of the meeting?

“It would be fantastic and I would sing all the way home in the car. I’m so lucky to own such a good horse. We go there with a chance which is all you can ask for,” he said.

“I’m not saying he’s going to win, it’s a very tough race, the blue riband of National Hunt, but Ben thinks he will be just as effective stepping up to three and a quarter miles and that his greatest asset of economical jumping can play a big part in how he fares.

“I grew up with racing, I remember listening to the Grand National and my mum winning the sweep in the cake factory where she worked by picking Foinavon.

“You could say a part of my sporting blood is in jumping and I feel incredibly lucky to have a horse of this stature going to the races with such a real chance.”