A tilt at the Punchestown Gold Cup remains possible for The Jukebox Man according to trainer Ben Pauling.
After a memorable victory in the King George VI Chase at Kempton, the eight-year-old remained off the track until Cheltenham. However, he disappointed in the Gold Cup, finishing only eighth as Gaelic Warrior won easily. Willie Mullins’ charge had previously finished behind The Jukebox Man in the King George.
Problems have since come to light to explain his disappointment at Prestbury Park. Both a breathing issue and pulled muscles were discovered by vets in the aftermath of the Gold Cup.
Should he recover in time from those ailments, the Punchestown Gold Cup presents an alluring end-of-season option. Pauling has confirmed that he has had wind surgery since Cheltenham, with the hope that will aid the Harry Redknapp-owned chaser.
The Jukebox Man “came sound last week”
Regaining full health has been the critical target for The Jukebox Man. His issues after Cheltenham looked set to conclude his season, but that no longer looks the case.
Pauling also confirmed that it was not as simple as getting a wind operation done straight away. Speaking to Racing TV, he said that “as has been well publicised he came out of Cheltenham very, very sore in his left shoulder and pulled a lot of muscles. 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.”
Now that wind surgery has been completed though, Pauling is confident that The Jukebox Man is back to himself.
“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.”
Though Gaelic Warrior presents a formidable obstacle towards another Grade 1 success, the yard will lean on his King George success as hope that the tables can be turned. Either way, Harry Redknapp’s attendance would bring some extra star quality to Ireland’s season-ending meeting.