SIR ALEX & HARRY SUCH NET ASSETS

Revealing tales and top tips from ITV Racing’s Oli Bell

JUST when the Cheltenham Festival needed some stardust!

Thursday is often perceived as the most low-key day of the Cheltenham Festival, but Sir Alex Ferguson and Harry Redknapp made sure the place burst into life.

Fergie’s interest in racing goes back decades and, on the back of big wins in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, he has a St Patrick’s Thursday double with Protektorat in the Ryanair Chase and Monmiral in the Pertemps Final.

Harry’s win with Shakem Up’Arry Plate was just as popular, and the day showed that, while there are clouds above the sport at the moment, it’s a magnet for those who made it to the top in their chosen sports.

Talking of football, and borrowing from Kevin Keegan, I would love it — just love it — if Galopin Des Champs and Paul Townend run away with the Gold Cup this afternoon.

Ed Chamberlin and I have been doing the pre-Cheltenham rounds over the past few weeks and we have different views of how the Festival feature will turn out.

I’m very much in the camp that the reigning champ will mount a successful defence of his title, with the winning margin a minimum of five lengths.

Ed isn’t so sure — he thinks Corach Rambler will go well at big odds — so we’ve made a bet.

Keep him up to his work, Paul.

BELL’S BANKERS

THE absence of antepost favourite Sir Gino has blown the Triumph Hurdle (1.30) right open, and the uphill finish will suit NURBURGRING.

Willie Mullins looks set for another bumper day and ABSURDE is carrying my cash in the County Hurdle (2.10). A crack at three miles is just what READIN TOMMY WRONG in the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle (12.50), and GALOPIN DES CHAMPS could make his way out of the racing pages if he runs away with the Gold Cup (3.30) — and I think he’ll do just that.

I woud love it – just love it – if Galopin Des Champs runs away with the Gold Cup