“If I can keep him A1 to Christmas, I think we’ll have a very exciting day”

Ben Pauling's high-class The Jukebox Man took himself another step closer to this year's King George VI Chase with a faultless reappearance in the Betfair Exchange Graduation Chase at Haydock.

Trained by Ben Pauling and owned by former Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp, The Jukebox Man was having his first start since claiming the Grade 1 Kauto Star Novices' Chase at Kempton last Christmas.

Sent off the 8/11 favourite, the seven-year-old son of the late Jukebox Jury jumped with aplomb out in front in the hands of Ben Jones, who asked his mount to stretch clear on the approach to the final flight before allowing his to saunter home for a comfortable two and a half length win over Grand National fourth Iroko.

Paddy Power initially cut the winner to 8/1 (from 12s) for the King George, but that price didn't last long as the firm now go 6/1 after immediate support.

Speaking of his latest winner, who joined the likes of Grey Dawning and Clan Des Obeaux on the Graduation Chase honours list, Pauling said on ITV Racing: "He did genuinely need the run, but what we needed to see was him jumping, as he's got a way of attacking his fences, short or long.

"I've always said Ben is a great jockey, but this lad makes it exceptionally easy for him. I've no reason to think he won't be OK in the morning. The first thing I did was look at his joint and it looks exactly the same as when he went out.

"When you've had an injury like his you just hope it doesn't return. We're lucky with the horses we've got, but you need these superstars to stay fit. Tomorrow is the first step and if I can keep him A1 to Christmas, I think we'll have a very exciting day."

FA-cup winning manager Redknapp added: "That was nerve-wracking and I guess I relate everything to football, so that was like sitting on the touchline with 10 minutes to go, hanging on to a lead.

"He was travelling so well, so it was barring an accident from a long way out. He's just a lovely horse and we're very lucky to have him.

"I've had a Cheltenham winner, nearly two as this lad got beat a short head, Ben is brilliant and I let him get on with it.

"It's like being a manager, he's the guv'nor and I let him get on with it, so we'll go to the King George if Ben says so. It's like when people used to tell me who to pick on the field, if I was to tell Ben where to run."