Still good to win on Merseyside . . . Sir Alex’s delight at Aintree
MANCHESTER United legend Sir Alex Ferguson scored an away win in Liverpool yesterday
– when his horse romped home at the Aintree racetrack.
The beaming former football manager picked up even more silverware after the 13-2 Clan Des Obeaux won the Betway Bowl Chase.
And despite spending 27 years in charge at Old Trafford, Sir Alex, 80, was cheered by the Merseyside crowd as he collected a share of the £107,400 prize pot.
He said: “That’s three times we’ve won the Betway Bowl. I never won three in a row at Anfield that’s for sure!”
Racegoers were back in force for the Randox Grand National Festival which was cancelled for two years because of Covid.
A record-breaking 40,000 were at the track on Thursday, bolstered by 10,000 NHS staff. They were given free tickets by the Jockey Club as a “thank you” for looking after the nation during the pandemic. One lucky recipient was Irene Axon, 64, Senior Community Fundraising Manager at Alder Hey Children’s Charity. She said: “Nobody has been anywhere for a few years, so to come here we’re all giddy with the excitement of the day.” Every punter had to brave wind, rain and chilly temperatures to enjoy the seven races on Liverpool NHS Day. Some made the best of it in posh frocks and hats, while others wrapped up against the weather.
Princess Anne, 71, wore a natty hat when she unveiled a statue of former jockey and crime writer Dick Francis who died in 2010 aged 89.
Bookies say betting on Saturday’s Grand National is focusing on history-making female jockey Rachael Blackmore, 32 – who is hoping to repeat her win last year on 10/1 Minella Times – and the red-hot favourite, 7/1 mare Snow Leopardess.
Rachael was thrilled to see spectators back at Aintree. She said: “It’s fantastic.The crowds bring the atmosphere and that’s what horse racing is all about.”
THE return of the Grand National meeting after two years away brought magic to Merseyside yesterday and is a cause for national celebration. Some 40,000 racegoers – with 10,000 NHS staff enjoying free tickets – braved inclement weather to take part in this great British sporting institution.
We look forward to seeing so many other much-missed events roar back to life, enriching our culture and the economy.
Sir Alex Ferguson’s horse may have come first at the Aintree spectacular but it feels as if the whole country is a winner.