Haydock outing could set The Jukebox Man up for Christmas cracker

Ben Pauling has identified a previously unconsidered target at Haydock as a potential starting point for stable star The Jukebox Man.

Not seen since his brilliant victory in the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase last Christmas, the seven-year-old is being readied for a return to Kempton Park on Boxing Day for a tilt at the King George over the same course and distance.

Having ruled out this weekend’s Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham, Pauling had previously raised the 1965 Chase at Ascot on Saturday week and the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury on November 29 as potential options, but he now appears to be favouring an appearance on Merseyside.

Speaking to Sky Sports Racing at Bangor on Wednesday, Pauling said: “He’s in great order, I think he’s going to have an entry in the 1965 and he’s in the Coral Gold Cup, but there’s also another option that I’ve just thought about recently, which is the graduation chase up at Haydock, because he’s only won two chases.

“So he might go to Betfair Chase day for the graduation chase there which would be a nice stepping-stone to the King George. That’s the plan and we don’t want to leave his King George in his next run.”