Fired-up Fergie looking to hit target with his Festival friend

13 April 2012

Having already declared Manchester United as the winners of the domestic treble, even though they have yet to pick up any of the silverware, it is surely only a matter of time before bookmaker Paddy Power announces it has paid out on another triumph for manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

Like Manchester United, Ferguson's Cheltenham Festival contender What A Friend still has a number of obstacles to overcome before being crowned champion, but the Paul Nicholls-trained six-year-old is joint-favourite for the RSA Chase on 11 March and the build-up to the race is getting the Old Trafford boss excited.

Ferguson, who owns What A Friend in partnership with Ged Mason, unfortunately won't be at Cheltenham to witness What A Friend's attempt to give him a first Festival winner as United face a Champions League fixture against Jose Mourinho's Inter Milan that night.

But the day could certainly be a special one for the Scot and he has already made plans to watch the race on television instead.

In an interview in the Racing Post, Ferguson said: "I'll be able to see it in the hotel and I'm sure the boys will be there to watch it with me.

"I know one or two of them have backed it, although they didn't get the 16-1 like I did!

"We're getting a bit excited, though, no mistake.

"Paul's very happy with him, and his two wins this year have been terrific and against good opposition like Carruthers and Ballyfitz.

"He'd have a favourite's chance, I'd think, although Cooldine looks a danger and there's always something that can come out of the woodwork between now and then."

Ferguson has moved into National Hunt ownership after finding the Flat "a bit too high profile" and it was over dinner with Mason that he was coerced into getting involved with the buying of What A Friend, who was a promising hurdler but appears to be heading towards the top of the tree over fences if Nicholls is to be believed.

Famous for handing out his hairdryer treatment to players that fail to do as they're told, Ferguson is happy to let the champion trainer control plans for What A Friend.

"It's a pastime for me and I never forget that," Ferguson said. "I don't get upset if a horse gets beaten and I don't get too excited if it wins.

"I hear of some owners who get quite abusive to trainers if they don't win, but I couldn't be like that.

"If anybody interfered in my job, I wouldn't be very happy about it, so I don't try to interfere with Paul doing his.

"I know he knows what he's doing. I've been there and seen the care and attention to detail he puts in."

What A Friend was pulled up in last year's Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham but should all go to plan in the championship race for staying novice chasers, the Manchester United manager could find that even National Hunt racing could be turning high profile.

He added: "There's a real buzz going into this year's Festival, but from there Paul is talking in terms of going for the Gold Cup next season, and it gets a bit tickly when you start talking in those terms."

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Fired-up Fergie looking to hit target with his Festival friend

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