Harry Redknapp praises brave jockeys ahead of Cheltenham - 'Not like footballers'

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Harry Redknapp has today praised the bravery of top jockeys and hailed them as much tougher than modern day footballers.

The ex- Tottenham, West Ham and Portsmouth manager-turned racehorse owner is dreaming of landing the most prestigious prize in Jump racing this Friday when one of the 26 horses he owns at least a share in lines up for the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup.

The Jukebox Man – who he owns outright - is 4-1 third favourite for the race and will be ridden by Welsh jockey Ben Jones, who partnered the eight-year-old gelding to victory in the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase at Kempton Park on Boxing Day.

And, speaking on a new documentary on BBC ’s iPlayer called ‘Harry’s Horses’ - which followed the football manager for a day at Cheltenham Racecourse - Redknapp said: “I think they’re are amazing. They get injured these Jump jockeys and then they’re back three weeks later. They’re not like footballers are they? They’re incredible.”

Redknapp also compared Ben Pauling, who trains The Jukebox Man out of his impressive yard in Naunton, less than half an hour from Cheltenham Racecourse, to himself.

He explained: “Ben’s like a football manager. He’s got to go and sign good horses - if you’re a football manager you’ve got to sign good players or you’ve got no chance…

“Ben’s a top trainer and he's a good communicator. He's one of those guys who always answers the phone when you ring up and has a chat.

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“I've been very lucky with the horses I've had with him. He gave me a Cheltenham winner and he's not bought me a bad horse. Everything he's bought me so far has been good.”

One of Redknapp's other star horses, Taurus Bay, runs tomorrow (Wednesday) in the Turners Novices' Hurdle. The Gold Cup takes place on Friday and Redknapp’s horse The Jukebox Man will try for glory.

Earlier this week Redknapp, 78, said: “I’ve had an awful lot of horses, still got an awful lot, but this one has taken us to places that you only dream about as a racehorse owner.

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“He’s my dream, he’s not for sale and he wouldn’t be for sale at any price.” He added: “I’m not saying we’re going to win it we’ve got a serious horse, it’s an open race and I think we’ve got as good a chance as anything.”

A regular on Q&A circuits in theatres and halls up and down the country, Redknapp said: “People ask me about The Jukebox Man more than football. I’ve been to those theatres for Q&As and they all come up to me afterwards.

“They’ve not actually come to see me, they’ve just come to ask me about The Jukebox Man! When I was at Cheltenham I wasn’t interested in talking about football or whatever.”

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