Harry Redknapp’s The Jukebox Man rallied at the last to clinch a thrilling victory in the King George VI Chase.
The Group One race at Kempton Park went down to a photo-finish with last year’s winner Banbridge and 9-4 joint-favourite Gaelic Warrior.
Owner Redknapp faced an anxious wait before the ex-Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham manager could celebrate winning the Boxing Day showpiece.
The trio went into the final jump of the three-mile race together, with The Jukebox Man coming down in third.
But Ben Jones led the 7-1 shot, trained by Ben Pauling, back between his two rivals.
Although the Joseph O’Brien-trained Banbridge (16-1) edged fractionally in front, Redknapp’s charge dug deep to win by a nose, with Gaelic Warrior a similar margin back in third.
The victory was worth £142,375 to Redknapp, who was trembling as he spoke to ITV Racing moments after his winner was confirmed.
«It is a dream, to have a horse that good is unbelievable,» he said. «I love the game that much.
«To come here on King George day and just run made me so proud, but to have the winner is special.
«I am so lucky. It is right up there. I love the racing and the game, the people in it, and to have a winner on the big stage is fantastic.»
Joint-favourite Jango Baie was a length back going into the final fence and was closing on the lead trio right up to the line.
«When they came to him, I thought he was beat and would finish fourth,» said Redknapp, 78.
«But he’s come again and the guts the horse has shown is just amazing.
«Everyone was jumping on me at the end and I didn’t know I had won.»
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