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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Greg Wood

The Jukebox Man can lead them a merry dance in vintage King George

Ben Jones rides The Jukebox Man clear to victory at Newbury.
Ben Jones rides The Jukebox Man clear to victory at Newbury. Photograph: Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images

There is a case to be made for seven of the eight runners in what promises to be a memorable renewal of the King George VI Chase, but the horse with the most appealing profile going into the Boxing Day showpiece is Ben Pauling’s The Jukebox Man (2.30), the fourth-favourite in the betting at around 6-1.

The strongest recent form on offer in Friday’s race is undoubtedly the thrilling contest between the Willie Mullins-trained pair Gaelic Warrior and Fact To File, the top two in the King George betting, in the John Durkan Chase at Punchestown in late November. Gaelic Warrior raced into a clear lead before being closed down by Fact To File going to the second-last, then stayed on again to win by a neck.

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