Source: Daily_Mail
Sir Alex Ferguson dreaming of Grand National glory
Sir Alex Ferguson may have a Grand National hope on his hands rather than a Cheltenham Gold Cup winner after his What A Friend was beaten a head by stablemate Noland in the Aon Chase.[LNB] Ferguson witnessed What A Friend's easily-distracted side. He looked in need of a good half-time team talk.[LNB] Team talk: Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson and trainer Paul Nicholls make their way to the parade ring[LNB] Trainer Paul Nicholls said: 'Better ground would help him and he'd love passing runners in a 40-horse field in the National.[LNB] 'I might try him in blinkers for the first time in the Gold Cup like I did with See More Business in 1999, or chat to the lads about Aintree.'[LNB] In the absence of genuine royalty at Newbury, having the footballing equivalent standing in the same paddock where two horses were electrocuted last Saturday was a welcome diversion at the end of an horrendous week.[LNB] Ultimately, the arrival of Ferguson in a helicopter was one of the most distracting moments of the afternoon - much to the relief of the track's authorities.[LNB] A 20-metre scar of replaced turf across the western corner of the paddock was the only reminder of the tragic episode, evidence of the excavated cable whose charge killed Fenix Two and Marching Song.[LNB] Champions League: Sir Alex Ferguson (left) chats with jockey Tony McCoy [LNB] Despite all the safety checks, most competitors positioned themselves closer to the eastern end of this small oval of turf.[LNB] But, after 12-1 shot Stow had won the first race, it was only feet from where his stricken Fenix Two fell that trainer Jonjo O'Neill unsaddled Grand National winner Don't Push It after his encouraging seventh. O'Neill said: 'You have to move on. They have done everything possible and assured us it is OK but it's still nice to get it over.'[LNB] Events off the track took precedence but what happened on it could have great significance.[LNB] Like Get Me Out Of Here a year ago, John Quinn's Recession Proof landed the the totesport Trophy as a novice. Get Me Out of Here went on to be second in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle and Recession Proof is 8-1 to go one better.[LNB] Track side: Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp and Tony McCoy[LNB] Aiteen Thirtythree is 10-1 for the RSA Chase after landing the same novice event as Denman did en route to winning that race in 2007. Not to be outdone by Nicholls' scoring a double, his rival for the trainers' title Nicky Henderson did likewise courtesy of Game Spirit Chase winner French Opera, quoted at 33-1 for the Champion Novices' Hurdle and Recession Proof is 8-1 to go one better. Aiteen Thirtythree is 10-1 for the RSA Chase after landing the same novice event as Denman did en route to winning that race in 2007.[LNB] Not to be outdone by Nicholls' scoring a double, his rival for the trainers' title Nicky Henderson did likewise courtesy of Game Spirit Chase winner French Opera, quoted at 33-1 for the Champion Chase, and Ericht, successful in the concluding race. The latter is now 7-1 favourite for the Festival Bumper with Ladbrokes.[LNB] Retracing Ferguson's steps in the unsaddling enclosure was Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp, whose latest signing, Bygones In Brid, did enough in finishing second to Ericht to suggest a tilt at one of the big Festivals is far from fanciful. [LNB] Probe into deaths of Fenix Two and Marching Song could run for weeksNewbury horse deaths blamed on 'accidental electrocution'[LNB] [LNB] Explore more:People: Alex Ferguson, Paul Nicholls, Nicky Henderson, Harry Redknapp
