Legendary former Premier League managers dominated Day 3 of the Cheltenham Festival as Alex Ferguson and Harry Redknapp had three of the seven winners on the penultimate day of the prestigious festival.
Former Manchester United manager Ferguson got the first winner out of the two as his horse Monmiral won the 2.10 Pertemps Handicap Hurdle. It was the first time Ferguson had a winner at the Cheltenham festival in 15 years. Monmiral went off at 25/1 and won by 1.25 lengths, ahead of 16/1 Kyntara and 2.25 lengths ahead of 11/2 favourite Cuthbert Dibble. The horse was jockeyed by Harry Cobden and trained by Paul Nicholls.
👀 49 winners for @PFNicholls at the #CheltenhamFestival
Monmiral delivers in the Pertemps under @CobdenHarry pic.twitter.com/L4XZ2b94nB
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) March 14, 2024
Fergie didn't have to wait long to get his second winner at Cheltenham as in the very next race his horse Protektorat won the 2.50 Ryanair Chase at 17/2. The Dan Skelton-trained horse was jockeyed by Harry Skelton and won by 4 lengths, ahead of 9/4 favourite Envoi Allen.
⚽️ Fergie time again at Cheltenham!
Four-timer for team Skelton as Protektorat wins the G1 @Ryanair Chase pic.twitter.com/YrktqtpiWv
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) March 14, 2024
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There was a familiar face with Sir Alex Ferguson in Sam Allardyce. The former England manager was pictured celebrating with Ferguson after his first winner Monmiral.
Sir Alex and Big Sam cheer home Monmiral! #CheltenhamFestival pic.twitter.com/T8iBPA7rHV
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) March 14, 2024
During the trophy presentation in the winner's enclosure Sir Alex Ferguson along with his partners Ged Mason and John Hales spoke about having their first winner as a group at Cheltenham, with Ferguson likening it to one of English football's most coveted prizes.
It is a special occasion anyway. You've got your FA Cup final, you've got the derby and Cheltenham. The three most important venues in the sporting world. It's my first winner here and it's unbelievable.
🗣 "Free tickets on @Ryanair for this."
Not an easy year for Ged Mason, John Hales & the great Sir Alex Ferguson following the passing of Hermes Allen
They discuss their triumph in the Ryanair with Protektorat #CheltenhamFestival pic.twitter.com/9Xv82wNqDs
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) March 14, 2024
Alex Ferguson And Harry Redknapp Both Win At Cheltenham
Alex Ferguson wasn't the only former Premier League manager in the winner's enclosure at Cheltenham on Day 3 of the festival. Former West Ham, Tottenham and Portsmouth gaffer Harry Redknapp had an 8/1 winner in Shakem Up'Arry at the TrustATrader Plate Handicap Chase.
⚽️ Some day for the football managers at Cheltenham @Redknapp's Shakem Up'Arry wins the Plate for @benpauling1 pic.twitter.com/uulkbEaJLK
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) March 14, 2024
It too was a first win at the Cheltenham festival for Harry Redknapp and the former I'm a Celeb winner and shared a great story in how the horse got its name.
I named him after a guy that used to stand behind me when I managed West Ham and for 90 minites he shouted 'Shakem Up'Arry' so I used to go and on Saturday nights all I could hear was his voice in my head 'shake em up' so when I bought one of my horses I thought I better call him Shakem Up'Arry.
🗣️ "I named him after a guy at @WestHam who for 90 minutes would shout at me for 90 minutes... 'Shakem Up'Arry'"
Great story & great name. @Redknapp discusses #CheltenhamFestival glory
Still got Bowtogreatness to come in the Kim Muir! Hope Sandra isn't watching!! pic.twitter.com/AVkSxB1e43
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) March 14, 2024
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