'He's the best I've had' - Harry Redknapp over the moon as The Jukebox Man seal Grade 1 breakthrough

Popular football manager Harry Redknapp was once upon a time used to Boxing Day success on the pitch, but The Jukebox Man confirmed himself as his star player on the track with a brilliant victory in the Kauto Star Novices' Chase.

An agonising second in last year's Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle, the six-year-old made the perfect start to his chasing career in a Grade 2race at Newbury last month and he took the step up in class in his stride with his breakthrough at the highest level.

Settled behind the leaders under Ben Jones, the 4-6 favourite was in a fine jumping rhythm throughout before scoring by two and a half lengths for Redknapp and trainer Ben Pauling.

Redknapp has overcome daunting tasks of FA Cup finals and even Bushtucker Trials in the jungle during his life, but he admitted his star jumper's performance left him wracked with nerves.

"He's a lovely horse and I think he's the best I've had," the owner said. "He's got great potential and the dream is to go back to Cheltenham. I was nervous and I was holding my breath with every jump, it's worse than being a football manager.

"I always thought he travelled well. It’s fantastic and you come into the game to have special horses for days like this. I love it and it’s my big passion. It’s been incredible."

Ben Pauling congratulates Ben Jones after The Jukebox Man's win in the Kauto Star Novices' Chase

Ben Pauling congratulates Ben Jones after The Jukebox Man's winCredit: Edward Whitaker

The Jukebox Man was cut to 5-1 (from 9) with Betfair Sportsbook and Paddy Power for the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase in March. Following a less-than-ideal preparation for Kempton, Pauling issued an ominous warning that more is to come from his stable star when he bids to avenge last year's Cheltenham Festival heartbreak.

He said: "He got better as the race went on and I do think there’s a lot of improvement to come. He’s had a few sore heels in behind all week, so I've been working on that all the time.

"Going down to the start he was never moving with the exuberance he would’ve wanted and I was watching the race and wondering when he was going to let fly. Ben said he was so much quicker and accurate, and almost a better jumper today. He was probably feeling those heels early in the race before warming into it."

The Jukebox Man capped off a rapid double for Pauling and Jones, who also took the opening 2m4½f novice handicap chase with Leader In The Park.

Despite jumping left on occasions, the six-year-old made all to win by a length and a quarter and kick off a Boxing Day to remember for the trainer and jockey.

"He jumped better today and I think he’s going to be better going left-handed," Pauling said. "He went slightly left at a few today looking for room and he’s still learning, but it was a good start.

"At the moment he needs to be a bit more positive and dominant. There were three or four jumps where I'd have liked him to either shorten more effectively or taken them on.

"He's brilliant when he's good, but he just needs to learn to shorten himself or let fly. This trip is spot on for now, but he'll stay further in time. I think he's all right, and I've always thought that, so it's nice to get him to win on a good day."

Leader In The Park (Ben Jones) jumps the last fence to win the novice handicap chase at Kempton

Leader In The Park jumps the last en route to winning the novice handicap chaseCredit: Edward Whitaker

Henderson going home happy

Constitution Hill may be their star, but Nicky Henderson and Nico de Boinville unleashed another smart prospect when Kientzheim landed the 2m maiden hurdle.

A two-time bumper winner in France, the JP McManus-owned four-year-old made the perfect British debut when scoring by two and a quarter lengths. Henderson is hopeful she could be on the path to follow in the footsteps of some illustrious family members.

"She's related to Epatante, so it's lovely as she's a sweet filly too," he said. "She jumped really well until they really kicked on, but she's a novice. She'll have to grow up a bit more, but I'd think she can go up to some nicer races now. This was a lovely race to start in."

Henderson trebled up with the Freddie Gordon-ridden East India Express in the concluding 2m5f handicap hurdle.

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