The Jukebox Man can call King George tune

The Jukebox Man can come of age with victory in a fascinating renewal of the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase at Kempton on Friday.

A quality field of eight runners goes to post for the traditional Boxing Day highlight, with the Willie Mullins-trained pair of Gaelic Warrior and Fact To File justifiably the top two in the market following their epic John Durkan battle at Punchestown last month.

Gaelic Warrior denied Fact To File by a neck that day and with ratings in the 170s the Closutton duo are clear of the rest of the field, but there are a couple of less exposed horses in the field who have yet to test the water at this level and The Jukebox Man has the potential to bridge the gap.

The seven-year-old has won each of his three starts over fences without being fully extended and was brilliant over this course and distance 12 months ago in the Kauto Star Novices' Chase, a race Bravemansgame won the year before landing the King George and Il Est Francais very nearly completed the double last year.

The Jukebox Man missed the rest of the season through injury and while he was entitled to win as he did on his recent Haydock comeback, it was impossible not to be impressed by the way he went about his business that day and the subsequent Ascot success of the runner-up Iroko gives the form a bit of substance.

On the official figures Ben Pauling's stable star still has a lot to find, but the Naunton-based trainer is confident his charge is ready to take his game to another level and he will bring the house down if he can strike gold for popular owner Harry Redknapp.

Sir Gino is expected to fill the void left by his stablemate Constitution Hill by landing the Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle.

Constitution Hill has claimed this prize in each of the past three seasons, but with doubts hanging over his future following three falls in his last four starts, trainer Nicky Henderson needs a super-sub.

Sir Gino was just that when stepping in for Constitution Hill in last year's Fighting Fifth at Newcastle and was just as brilliant when readily accounting for Ballyburn on what was his debut over fences in the Wayward Lad Novices' Chase at this meeting 12 months ago.

A serious life-threatening infection which left Sir Gino in hospital curtailed his campaign, but he has not been injured as such and with recent reports from Seven Barrows positive, he can confirm himself a major Champion Hurdle contender with a comeback win.

Willie Mullins can claim a first victory in the Ladbrokes Kauto Star Novices' Chase with Kitzbuhel.

Just below the very best novice hurdlers last season, he is nevertheless the highest-rated horse in this Grade One despite coming up against Salver and Wendigo.

Grade One honours are also up for grabs at Aintree in the William Hill Formby Novices' Hurdle, in which Mydaddypaddy is expected to play a starring role.

Dan Skelton's charge began the season as ante-post favourite for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, such was the impression he made on his rules debut in a Huntingdon bumper and he has only enhanced his reputation with a couple of emphatic wins over obstacles at Carlisle and Haydock.

He has more on his plate stepping up to the highest level, but Skelton has put him up as his best chance of a winner over the festive period and he can maintain his unbeaten record.

The feature race at Wetherby is the £50,000 William Hill Rowland Meyrick Handicap Chase, where Konfusion can continue the recent trend of Sue Smith and Joel Parkinson winning big staying chases.

Konfusion has already won one big pot, the Rehearsal Chase at Newcastle, with O'Connell winning the London National at Sandown and Grand Geste turning the Tommy Whittle into a procession and Konfusion is on a steep upward curve. - Press Association

SELECTIONS:

AINTREE: Race 1 - 14.00 Disco Annie, Race 2 - 14.30 Josh The Boss, Race 3 - 15.05 Mydaddypaddy, Race 4 - 15.40 Dedicated Hero, Race 5 - 16.15 Dubai Days, Race 6 - 16.50 Juby Ball, Race 7 - 17.25 Moments In Time.

DOWN ROYAL: Race 1 - 13.40 Miss Doyenne, Race 2 - 14.15 All Night Revival, Race 3 - 14.48 Aswellasabentley, Race 4 - 15.23 Swing Davis, Race 5 - 15.58 I A Connect, Race 6 - 16.33 Its On The Line, Race 7 - 17.08 Sharu.

FONTWELL: Race 1 - 13.57 Morning Mayhem, Race 2 - 14.32 Superstylin, Race 3 - 15.07 Rathkenny, Race 4 - 15.42 Malago Rose, Race 5 - 16.17 Risk It All, Race 6 - 16.52 Esperti, Race 7 - 17.27 Double The Dance.

KEMPTON: Race 1 - 14.45 U Cant Be Serious, Race 2 - 15.20 Kitzbuhel, Race 3 - 15.55 Sir Gino, Race 4 - 16.30 THE JUKEBOX MAN (NAP), Race 5 - 17.05 Zamek, Race 6 - 17.40 Onewaywest.

LEOPARDSTOWN: Race 1 - 14.05 Leader d'Allier, Race 2 - 14.35 Doctor Du Mesnil, Race 3 - 15.10 Narciso Has, Race 4 - 15.45 The Store Boy, Race 5 - 16.20 July Flower, Race 6 - 16.55 Release The Beast, Race 7 - 17.30 Cityofblindinlites.

LIMERICK: Race 1 - 14.25 Mode Avion, Race 2 - 14. 58 Laurets d'Estruval, Race 3 - 15.33 Yeshil, Race 4 - 16.08 Katie Daniels, Race 5 - 16.40 Anotherway, Race 6 - 17.15 Stoneyford Lady, Race 7 - 17.50 Torpille Dagrostis.

MARKET RASEN: Race 1 - 14.40 Japetus, Race 2 - 15.15 Benmore, Race 3 - 15.47 Roxby Belle, Race 4 - 16.22 Hawkseye View, Race 5 - 16.57 The Big Breac, Race 6 - 17.32 Smart Decision.

SEDGEFIELD: Race 1 - 13.45 Double Digits, Race 2 - 14.20 Dalston Lad, Race 3 - 14.50 Country Park, Race 4 - 15.25 Take Centre Stage, Race 5 - 16.00 Summergrounds, Race 6 - 16.35 Kaviar Wood, Race 7 - 17.10 Drakaris.

WETHERBY: Race 1 - 13.52 Rose Mahler, Race 2 - 14.27 Florita, Race 3 - 15.00 Big Boy Barney, Race 4 - 15.35 Konfusion, Race 5 - 16.10 Glen Road, Race 6 - 16.45 Gentleman Bill, Race 7 - 17.20 Toby Two Scoops.

WINCANTON: Race 1 - 14.53 Blacksamssenorita, Race 2 - 15.28 Charisma Cat, Race 3 - 16.03 Saint Anapolino, Race 4 - 16.38 Atreides, Race 5 - 17.13 Absolutely Doyen, Race 6 - 17.45 Zainy Champ.

WOLVERHAMPTON: Race 1 - 15.12 Stratusnine, Race 2 - 15.50 Hearts Beat True, Race 3 - 16.25 Harmonised, Race 4 - 17.00 Candy Warhol, Race 5 - 17.35 Knightswood, Race 6 - 18.05 Queue Dos, Race 7 - 18.35 Bravo Zulu, Race 8 - 19.05 Hackney Diamonds, Race 9 - 19.35 Galaxy Wonder.