Redknapp's High-Stakes Bet: From FA Cup to King George Glory?

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Harry Redknapp, the 78-year-old English football legend, is trading in his managerial hat for a racing silks on Boxing Day. The former Portsmouth and West Ham manager has his sights set on the prestigious King George VI Chase at Kempton Park, where his horse, The Jukebox Man, will face stiff competition from seven opponents. Redknapp's love affair with racing began in his childhood, when his grandmother ran bets for an illegal bookmaker. As he grew up, his passion for the sport only deepened, and he eventually became a successful owner. With a long list of horses under his belt, Redknapp says his wife Sandra often teases him about his knack for buying good horses. The Jukebox Man has already tasted victory at Kempton, winning the Grade One Kauto Star Novice Chase last year. However, this year's competition is tougher, with last year's winner Banbridge and runner-up Il Est Francais among the opponents. Redknapp likened the challenge to reaching the Champions League quarter-finals, where his Tottenham Hotspur side once made a memorable run. Ireland's Willie Mullins, a formidable trainer, has two top-class horses in Gaelic Warrior and Fact to File, both of which pose a significant threat to The Jukebox Man's title bid. Redknapp's team is taking a cautious approach, but the veteran owner remains optimistic about his horse's chances. As he prepares to watch his horse compete, Redknapp can't help but think of his grandmother, who would have been thrilled to see him with such a talented horse. 'It's a far cry from the East End of London,' he said, reminiscing about his childhood days of collecting bets for an illegal bookmaker. 'People forget that betting was totally illegal back then, so my nan would be pinching herself if she knew I had a horse like The Jukebox Man.'