Key Points
- He was one of the most exciting Novice Chase prospects last season, but suffered a setback
- This horse had a Grade 1 Novice Chase win over C&D, so we know he’ll handle the track
- If his ability remains, he’ll be slashed to a fraction of the current price for this race.
After updating you all on my free betting tip results on Monday, and bringing you an antepost pick for the
Ebor Handicap
yesterday, I’m back with another antepost selection for you today. For this one we look ahead to the 2025 King George VI Chase on Boxing Day!
If you want something to pass the time until my next articles come out next week, then you can take a look at some of my previous antepost selections. Firstly we have a selection in the St Leger but we also have early selections for the 2026 Cheltenham Festival and the
2026 Grand National. I’d highly recommend you get on these bets early to avoid disappointment on the prices.
Betting advice
- Kempton - Friday 26 December - The 2025 King George VI Chase -
The Jukebox Man
@ 20/1 -
0.5pt Win
Unibet are my bookmaker choice for this antepost bet
At the time of writing, two bookmakers are offering 20/1 for The Jukebox Man. One of them is bet365, but you have heard plenty about them from me just lately. The other is Unibet, so I have opted for them today. As well as a fantastic price on The Jukebox Man, Unibet has a great sign up offer for new customers. If you deposit and
bet £20, they’ll give you £40 of free bets. It always pays to diversify, so be sure to consider this deal.
If The Jukebox Man is sound and retains his ability, he’s no 20/1 shot!
I absolutely loved The Jukebox Man last season and I was gutted when he suffered a setback, which left him unable to race at the likes of the Cheltenham Festival. However, I hope he’ll get his big day in the sun at the Boxing Day meeting to make up for it. In this article, I’ll explain why I like him and the various reasons I've decided to back him.
He was one of the most exciting Novice Chasing prospects last season, but suffered a setback
During the 2024/25 National Hunt season, it would be hard to argue that there was a more promising novice staying chaser than The Jukebox Man. He had me really excited, but sadly he picked up an injury that saw him sidelined for the second half of the season.
For me, the weakest group of horses last season were the Novice Chasers over staying trips. Everybody had really high hopes for Ballyburn. He won on his Chase debut, and also at the Dublin Racing Festival. However, he flopped at the Cheltenham and Punchestown Festivals, with his jumping becoming a real issue.
If I was trainer Ben Pauling, or owner Harry Redknapp, there would be nothing frightening me in terms of the Novices (over staying trips) that are stepping up into Open company.
He has a Grade 1 Novice Chase win over C&D, so we know he’ll handle the track
The final run The Jukebox Man had prior to his setback was in the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase. While it wasn’t the deepest renewal of the race, he won it in great style, with his victory never really looking in doubt at any stage.
The Grade 1 King George VI Chase is run over the same C&D as the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase, so we know that The Jukebox Man can handle the 3m distance and the sharp Kempton track. Whilst he may lack finesse over fences due to his absence, his C&D experience is a huge plus point.
In a King George VI Chase, you need a combination of speed and stamina, two boxes that The Jukebox Man can definitely tick.
If in the first part of the season he shows his old ability remains, he’ll be a fraction of the current price for this race.
With antepost punting, it is largely a case of looking at the markets, and finding a suitable horse you think could shorten significantly. For example, if Gaelic Warrior or Fact To File come here, they would have a huge chance. However, their current prices as short as 7/2 and 5/2 respectively, reflect their chances. Of course, there are no guarantees that either of them will make the trip over from Ireland, but even if they do, I cannot see them both going off at considerably shorter prices.
Conversely, The Jukebox Man is 20/1. If he can win one or two early season races in decent style, and show that he retains his old ability, his odds for the King George VI Chase will be slashed.
The initial vibes from Ben Pauling are all very positive regarding The Jukebox Man’s return to the yard, and will be getting under way with his training. Hopefully Ben can keep him sound, and if so, I feel he’s in for a big win!
Can The Jukebox Man win the King George VI Chase?
The more I look at the market for the King George VI Chase, the more I feel that The Jukebox Man is overpriced at the current 20/1 on offer. There are eight horses ahead of him in the market, including Gaelic Warrior and Fact To File, who would both have a huge chance if they turn up, but their prices reflect that.
Inothewayurthinkin is third favourite, but I’m not convinced a sharp track like Kempton will suit, and surely his main target will be another crack at the Cheltenham Gold Cup?
We then have Caldwell Potter, who won a Handicap Chase at Cheltenham, before going on to win a Grade 1 at Ascot. That said, the Grade 1 was a race that fell apart, with just three finishers. Let’s just say his form doesn’t entirely convince me, and I’d rather be on The Jukebox Man.
The next two in the market are Banbridge and Galopin Des Champs. While they are both incredibly talented, they are not getting any younger. Both will turn ten just a few days after the race. We then have Champ Kiely and Il Est Francais as the final pair. Champ Kiely did well at Punchestown in April, but it wasn’t much of a race. Il Est Francais blows hot and cold, plus he has been prone to bleeding previously, so he comes with plenty of risk attached.
I feel this race could cut up quite significantly, and I can see The Jukebox Man going off at a much shorter price than the 20/1 currently available. That said, we are gambling on him staying sound and retaining his previous ability, which is not guaranteed. As a result, it’s just half stakes, and a Win bet for now.
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