Harry Redknapp rues lost week as Cheltenham Gold Cup dream is dashed

Harry Redknapp began Friday with dreams of winning racing’s Champions League with The Jukebox Man. But after three and a quarter miles of pulsating Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup action, he was left pondering what could have been but for a late hold-up in preparations.

The apple of Redknapp’s eye had put racing on the front and back pages when sticking his neck out to land the King George at Kempton on Boxing Day – a triumph the FA Cup-winning manager had deemed the equivalent of winning one of football’s major prizes.

However, in the build-up to racing’s blue riband, it was a tale familiar to Redknapp’s days in the dugout, as The Jukebox Man was whisked away to the treatment table to rectify an issue the 79-year-old only disclosed on the morning of the big race.

Sent off at 7-2 with the many eyes upon him, and football royalty such as Sir Alex Ferguson and Bryan Robson in his corner cheering him on, The Jukebox Man cut a bold sight, jumping with zest and looking in a prime position as the field freewheeled downhill for the second time.

There was to be no winning sequel to Redknapp and Ben Pauling’s festive hit though, as The Jukebox Man faded into eighth place, with Gaelic Warrior storming to Gold Cup glory for Willie Mullins.

Redknapp said: “To have won here today would have been like winning the Champions League, but Gaelic Warrior was impressive.

“I’ve loved the build-up and the dream, and to have a runner here with a chance was fantastic for me.

“I was excited as he travelled so well and then turning for home he just ran out of steam. He missed a week’s work and I’m not making excuses as the winner looked a different class – he bolted up. Maybe he might have finished third or fourth with that extra week’s work.

“He’s captured the heart of the nation so it would have been lovely if he could have won it, but he’s given it his best shot.”

For The Jukebox Man’s trainer Pauling, a first crack at racing’s most cherished prize may have ended in disappointment, but he refused to be downbeat.

Pauling said: “He travelled well but Ben (Jones, jockey) felt even though he looked good, he never got in quite the same rhythm as Kempton.

“He had a pimple on the underside of his epiglottis that we had to remove about a fortnight ago. In hindsight now, that maybe caused us more trouble than we thought would be the case.

“Ben said he made a little noise at the top of the hill so we will look to rectify that and come back a better horse. I’m not overly worried and will look forward to the future.

“He was in great form, he looked a picture and I think if we stopped the tape at the top of the hill, you were fancying your chances. It’s unfortunate and it’s just one of those things. We didn’t think it was worth mentioning at the time as it was something of nothing.

“We’ll take him home and have a full investigation now and get him back in no time at all.”

Redknapp and Pauling are now anticipating more adventures with their horse of a lifetime, who the former Tottenham boss has described previously of having all of the talent of Paulo Di Canio, but the temperament of Julian Dicks.

Pauling added: “I’m not ruling out going to Ireland, I wouldn’t rush back for Aintree, but I would love to give the winner a rematch.

“I wouldn’t rule out coming back again for the Gold Cup next year and people are saying he doesn’t quite stay, but he was beaten before the last two and a half furlongs – it wasn’t like we got pegged back after the last.

“He’s electric, but some days it just doesn’t quite go your way. He’s given us some unbelievable joy, he’s a King George winner who has gone down valiantly today. This race has gone, but now it’s time for next year.”