Fergie set to do battle again

He had to give best in the legal battle over Rock Of Gibraltar, but Sir Alex Ferguson is planning another crack at his old adversary John Magnier after it emerged that the Man United boss and his partners are seriously considering paying £75,000 to enter the fast improving Gatwick for the Vodafone Derby.

Ferguson is one of 12 shareholders in Mick Channon's colt, who pocketed £44,000 for winning a big handicap at Goodwood last Tuesday and another £52,000 when bursting through late to land the Totesport Silver Bowl at Haydock on Saturday.

Ferguson took time out from Saturday's FA Cup Final preparations to watch the Haydock race unfold on television and was "over the moon" at the outcome according to syndicate manager Henry Ponsonby.

"Sir Alex has been on the phone this morning and stressed that we now have a lovely problem on our hands," he said.

"He feels that between now and the end of the week we all have to get out heads together and address the issue of the Derby. The £75,000 it would cost to supplement him for Epsom isn't really a problem, as he's already won that much, and although he hasn't run over a mile and a half before his pedigree suggests he might be suited by a longer trip."

Connections have until next Monday to finalise plans, but a yes vote would see Fergie going head-to-head with the Magnier-owned Yeats, who is currently as short as 9-4 for the Derby having won three out of three for Aidan O'Brien.

Coral bookmakers responded to today's news by offering Gatwick at 33-1 for Epsom glory, and Ponsonby is looking forward to what could prove one of the most audacious Derby bids seen in years.

"It's a big shot to call and we don't want to get carried away, so the plan for the next few days is just to chill out and assess all the possibilities," he added. "Gatwick will tell us which way to go when we see how he comes out of his Haydock race, but it's looking a very open Derby and our horse certainly isn't that much of a long shot."

Meanwhile, one of the driving forces behind The Horse Racing Channel today denied that the venture has been left in the starting stalls by a series of delays and expressed confidence that the station will be on air before its big rival At The Races returns to screens on 11 June.

British racecourses have been split down the middle over the decision as whether to side with THRC or ATR, and most industry experts feel the chances of both channels prospering independently once they do finally go live are slim.