WINNING FEELING AGAIN FOR FERGUSON
Former Manchester United boss delighted to see his horse triumph at Wincanton
SOME things never change – yesterday Alex Ferguson was back winning on a Saturday afternoon.
The part owner of Give Me A Copper was thrilled to watch the horse give Paul Nicholls a 10th victory in the Badger Beer Silver Trophy Handicap Chase at Wincanton.
Nicholls also ran Present Man in the race, who had won the last two renewals under Bryony Frost, but once he relinquished the lead to Rock The Kasbah on the second circuit, his supporters knew their fate.
Rock The Kasbah looked right back to his best and tried stretching the field down the back straight, but Harry Cobden and Give Me A Copper, who has been plagued by injury in recent years, always looked to be travelling comfortably.
There were still a handful in with a chance turning into the straight, with Royal Vacation and Just A Sting holding claims, but in the end is was Soupy Soups who threw down the final challenge.
Soupy Soups was flying after the last, but to his credit, Give Me A Copper had enough left to fend off the lightweight by a neck, with Royal Vacation back in third. As the winner crossed the line Nicholls, who is also one of the part-owners, embraced former Manchester United manager Ferguson.
I’m really pleased. We didn’t expect it as it was his first run and Paul said he might be a bit fresh,’ said Ferguson
‘Paul was strangling me! I’m covered in coffee. He was produced at the right time between the last two. I don’t know what we’ll do with him now. I love winning and that is why we are all in it, the excitement at the end – you can’t beat it.’ Nicholls said: ‘I’m thrilled that we’ve eventually got him right to win a big race.
‘Everything went right. Harry gave him a great ride and even managed to save a bit for the finish. It’s great to have a winner in the boss’s colours.’
Meanwhile, Cilaos Emery made a pleasing return to action in the Poplar Square Chase at Naas.
Last seen beating subsequent Arkle-winning stablemate Duc De Genievres on his only previous outing over fences, he made only one semblance of an error on his way to victory.
Sent off as the 4-9 favourite, Paul Townend was content to track Ornua, a Grade One winner at Aintree, before sprinting clear
before the second last. Betfair cut him to 11-1 from 16s for the Champion Chase.
Assistant trainer Patrick Mullins said: ‘That was impressive for a horse with such little experience. Ornua is obviously a Grade One winner and we were getting a lot of weight. He wasn’t going to be easy to place this year with just one run as a novice. I’m not sure what the plan is now, but he will probably be kept to two miles for the moment.
‘He’s only had two runs over fences and maybe it would be best to take baby steps and get more experience into him. Today was an ideal race with just four runners and they were well spread out. His jumping has always been good.’
Mullins enjoyed a treble on the day with two useful novices starting their seasons in fine style.
Elixir D’Ainay (13-8 favourite) only made it to the track once last season, but pulled a long way clear with Longhouse Poet in the Cavan Developments Home Builders Supporting St Marys GAA Maiden Hurdle, winning for Mark Walsh.
Tornado Flyer (5-4) was smart in bumpers and over hurdles and won the Mongey Communications Beginners Chase to give Townend a double – despite a bad blunder at halfway.
Surin ran out a clear-cut winner of the Fishery Lane Hurdle for Gordon Elliott and Luke Dempsey.
Making full use of her fillies’ allowance in the testing conditions, Surin (9-2), who fared well in the best company last year, looked set to be swamped at the second last.
Quartz Du Rheu, Gardens Of Babylon and Tiger Tap Tap all loomed up to challenge, but the filly won by seven and a half lengths.
Elliott said: ‘Luke gave her a good, positive ride. We knew she would stay well and she has improved from last year.’
The winner was given a 25-1 quote by Paddy Power for the Mares’ Hurdle at Cheltenham in March.
Joseph O’Brien’s smart bumper performer Embittered is a 33-1 chance for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle with Betfair after beating Blackbow on his hurdling bow.