Punchestown bid still possible for The Jukebox Man after wind op

Ben Pauling remains keen to head to the Punchestown Gold Cup with The Jukebox Man after confirming his stable star has now had wind surgery following his disappointing run at the Cheltenham Festival.

Having come out on top in a thrilling renewal of the King George at Kempton on Boxing Day, hopes were high he could provide owner Harry Redknapp with Cheltenham Gold Cup glory at Prestbury Park, but he finished a well beaten eighth behind the hugely impressive winner Gaelic Warrior.

Pauling soon discovered The Jukebox Man was not only suffering a minor breathing issue but had also pulled muscles, but he is hopeful he could yet have one more run this season in Ireland.

“As has been well publicised he came out of Cheltenham very, very sore in his left shoulder and pulled a lot of muscles,” Pauling told Racing TV.

“Ben (Jones) was never happy in the race, even though he looked to be going well and he flipped his palate as well, so we couldn’t get the wind operation done straight away because he wasn’t quite right.

“He came sound last week, we took him down to Ben Brain’s and there wasn’t an awful lot to see, but he did flip it at Cheltenham so we have tightened his soft palate.

“He was out this morning moving as well as he ever has again, so that was really promising and I’d love to go to Ireland with him. He’s only had three runs this season and if he’s in the form we can get him in then he’ll go and if he’s not then we’ll finish.”

More immediately Pauling is looking forward to a trip to Fairyhouse with the similarly named but completely unrelated The Jukebox Kid, who following successive winter wins at Ascot is bound for the Boylesports Irish Grand National on Easter Monday.

Pauling added: “He’s in good order, he’s never been a fast work horse so you just have to take it on trust that he’s in great form, but he seems well and looks well and his trach was was clean.

“He’s got a very progressive profile and he’s slightly better right-handed. He’s only run six times in his life, that would be the only concern, but if he gets into a rhythm he’s a good horse.”

The Naunton-based trainer also confirmed Diva Luna a planned runner in the Mares’ Chase at Punchestown after a late setback ruled her out of Cheltenham, while his Festival winner Meetmebythesea will be put away for the season, with the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham in November a likely target next term.