The Jukebox Man makes winning start over fences at Newbury

The Harry Redknapp-owned six-year-old went off the 9/4 joint-favourite alongside Captain Teague, and the two market leaders were the front two in the race for much of the two-and-a-half-mile contest.

But Captain Teague faltered in the home straight, while The Jukebox Man went on to hold off Masaccio by two lengths.

Johnnywho finished third, with Captain Teague a disappointing fourth.

Trainer Ben Pauling said: “Barters Hill was an exceptional talent and I think he might be the same.

“There’s loads to work on, he was a bit close to the first few and was almost in hurdling mode. Ben then did well to rein him in and just pop him down the back.

“He’s a big horse, that’s his run of the season and he’s going to improve a ton. All mine do, so it could be quite exciting, hopefully.

“I had in my head he wasn’t just a dour stayer, he’s slow at home but on the track he finds another gear and I thought he had a touch of class, so dropping him back to two and a half was always my plan.

“I was unsure on this ground we’d have the gears, but we did and it opens up a lot of options. We’ll see what we do between now and March.”

Jubilant jockey Ben Jones told ITV Racing: “That was unbelievable, to land a Grade Two like that for Ben who has obviously given me the job (as stable jockey) this year – it means a lot to me.

“He’s been so good (schooling) at home, a little bit too brave, but he took a chance at the water jump and one down the back and I’d say that’s done him the world of good because he measured his fences really well after that.

“He’s the best horse I’ve ever sat on, without a shadow of a doubt. I felt like I cantered round and just quickened up the home straight.”