THE JUKEBOX MAN TO CALL THE TUNE IN GOLD CUP

By Molly Hunter, Press Association

The Jukebox Man can leave all rivals dancing to his tune in the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase on the final day of the Festival.

The Ben Pauling-trained eight-year-old is owned by Harry Redknapp and was last seen battling to a nose victory over Banbridge in the King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day.

Several fellow Gold Cup contenders were behind him on that occasion, prior to which he was the winner of a Haydock graduation chase ahead of Iroko.

Pauling has made no secret of how highly he regards the horse, who is unbeaten over fences with two graded victories to his name as a novice.

His jumping is very impressive and he does not need to be ridden to specific instructions, and although he is yet to take on this three-mile-two-furlong trip he ticks virtually every other box in an open-looking blue riband.

In the JCB Triumph Hurdle it is Dan Skelton's Maestro Conti who can boost his profile and maintain an unbeaten record.

One French hurdling win for previous connections has been followed this season with two successes for the Skelton team, the latter of which was a Grade Two trial for the Triumph at Cheltenham in January

Course and distance form is therefore in the bag, and though he admittedly has far more on his plate he will have been improving all the while as part of the trained-to-the-minute Skelton stable.

The seasoned and ever-reliable Dinoblue can post a customary solid effort in the Mrs Paddy Power Mares' Chase to retain the title she won in great style 12 months ago.

Willie Mullins' chestnut mare took this event by nearly nine lengths last year, and has proved herself to be the dominant force in this niche since.

Comprehensive Grade Three and Listed wins this term prove her form is not at all waning and she will be the horse to beat if performing in her usual consistent manner.

Paul Nolan's Thedeviluno is the pick in the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle, where he attempts to reverse prior Navan form with Mullins' Doctor Steinberg.

Subsequently the winner of the River Don, Nolan's runner is evidently on the up and his staying performance over three miles at Doncaster bodes well for when he is faced with the Cheltenham hill and his stamina is called into question - an asset that cannot yet be attributed to his Navan conqueror.

Top tips for today’s UK meetings

TAB is betting on 5 UK meetings today. Here are the tips.

FAKENHAM: Race 1: 14.55 Brother Boris, Race 2: 15.35 Mister Ursus, Race 3: 16.14 Belle
Montrose, Race 4: 16.54 Blue Marvel, Race 5: 17.34 Hello Sweety, Race 6: 18.15 Nap Hand,
Race 7: 18.50 Janika.

DONCASTER: Race 1: 15.02 Annie Hathaway, Race 2: 15.42 Count Of Vendome, Race 3: 16.22
Two To Tango, Race 4: 17.02 Jakar Du Moulin, Race 5: 17.39 Amazing Cleni, Race 6: 18.20
Bitsnbuckles, Race 7: 18.55 Noble Way.

CHELTENHAM: Race 1: 15.20 Maestro Conti, Race 2: 16.00 Murcia, Race 3: 16.40 Dinoblue, Race
4: 17.20 Thedeviluno, Race 5: 18.00 THE JUKEBOX MAN (NAP), Race 6: 18.40 Stattler, Race 7:
19.20 Open Secret.

WOLVERHAMPTON: Race 1: 18.45 Golden Muse, Race 2: 18.25 Charlie's Choice, Race 3: 19.05
Initial Blue, Race 4: 19.40 Wisetanck, Race 5: 20.10 Hitched, Race 6: 20.40 Risk Averse Rebel,
Race 7: 21.10 Bomb Squad, Race 8: 21.40 Pessoa, Race 9: 22.10 Punchbowl Flyer.

SOUTHWELL: Race 1: 18.30 Skip To Victory, Race 2: 19.10 Early Release, Race 3: 19.45
Diamondonthehill, Race 4: 20.20 Filly One, Race 5: 20.50 Saffron Dandy, Race 6: 21.20
Mercurius Power, Race 7: 21.50 Blue Siam, Race 8: 22.20 Itsgottobefun.

DOUBLE: Thedeviluno and The Jukebox Man (Cheltenham, Races 4 and 5).

For fields, Race betting and more information go to www.tab.co.za