Sir Alex Ferguson: Which horses at the Cheltenham Festival belong to ex-Manchester United coach?
Sir Alex Ferguson has his sights set on Cheltenham Festival glory this week, with the former Manchester United manager holding three rivals.
Hermes Allen is among the top picks for Ladies’ Day on day 2 of the festival.
An avid racing fan since retirement, one of his former players described that racing wasn’t always his main passion.
“Well, we’re very happy about that [Hermes Allen]it’s a very good horse, we have to beat the Irish but we’re looking forward to it,” Sir Alex told ITV. “It’s incredible honeysuckle, I don’t think anyone can go without a tear, the emotion of the thing, the Jockey and the trainer that’s left. [Arsenal or City in the title race?] I’m not interested.”
Here are Sir Alex’s three horses to watch out for this week.
Hermes Allen – Ballymore Novices’ Corral: 4.11
Hermes Allen coached by Paul Nicholls has a strong chance to win Wednesday’s opener on day two. Hermes Allen has won his last three races via jumps, but this will be his biggest test yet. “He won now on fast ground and that ground,” said Nicholls. “He’s not slow. He’s been slow at home, but he’s waking up mentally and physically. He really has everything, he has everything you want in a good horse.”
Sir Alex Ferguson speaks to Frankie Dettori in York
(Getty Images)
Hitman – Ryanair Pursuit: 25/1
Hitman Shishkin is unlikely to smash to glory here in his Cheltenham debut, but he could have a chance to place in the top few finishers in Thursday’s race. He’s another from Nicholls stable. “Hitman is constantly progressing, physically and mentally … He’s maturing,” Nicholls said recently.
Sir Alex Ferguson with his horse Forgotten Hero at Lingfield in 2012
(Getty Images)
Protectorate – Cheltenham Gold Cup: 1.12
Protectorate finished third in last year’s Gold Cup and there’s hope he can move up a few places this time. Ridden by Harry Skelton, his trainer Dan Skelton said: “I hope to have many years of coaching Gold Cup, Champion Chase, Champion Hurdle and Grand National competitors and hopefully one or two of them will be lucky enough to to land them. but there is no right to everything.
“I think we’re good enough. Harry (Skelton) is without a doubt a good driver. But the most important thing is that you have to have the right horse.”
https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/racing/alex-ferguson-horses-cheltenham-b2301330.html Sir Alex Ferguson: Which horses at the Cheltenham Festival belong to ex-Manchester United coach?
