Sir Alex Ferguson lands Grand National Festival treble

Former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has had three winners in the opening three races at Aintree at the Grand National Festival.

The legendary manager is the owner of Protektorat, who won the Grade One SSS Super Alloys Manifesto Novices’ Chase, and also Monmiral, the favourite who won the Doom Bar Anniversary Juvenile Hurdle.

And the man who led United to their famous Treble in 1999 earned another when Clan des Obeaux romped home to win the Betway Bowl Chase.

The odds of Ferguson’s Treble landing were 108-1 at one stage but later shortened to 62-1.

“I don’t think they will be too pleased!” quipped Ferguson on ITV after completing his hat-trick in Liverpool.

He added: ‘That’s the best day I’ve had in my time in racing, which is about 20 years or so,’ he said.

“It is different to when I was managing my football teams – I was in control of what was going to happen on the pitch, but I’m not in control of that (on the racetrack) as the trainer does all of that and as an owner you hope it goes well.

“You do get the same excitement when you win big races like that as it does get you very excited.”

Protektorat, Monmiral and Clan Des Obeaux were all winners for the Scotsman, who was pictured arriving at the Merseyside venue and can enjoy a day to celebrate.

Protektorat, who was sent off at 17/2, got Ferguson’s day off to a flyer with a battling three length success in the Manifesto Novices’ Chase at 13:45 to win the Scotsman £42,202.50.

10/11 favourite Monmiral then made it a double on the day for Ferguson little over half-an-hour later when cruising to a seven length victory in the Doom Bar Anniversary 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle.

And it got even better for Fergie when the 5/2 favourite Clan des Obeaux won the Betway Bowl with Harry Cobden in the saddle.

Grand National hero Tiger Roll was running as well but no one could lay a glove on the Paul Nicholls-trained horse. He won by a staggering 26 lengths at odds of 5-2, blowing away second-placed Clondaw Castle, who was sent off at 13-2.

The first-place prize for that race was a whopping £84,195.

All in all it led to a payday just shy of £169,000 for the ex-Old Trafford boss, who toasted another win in Liverpool.

Ferguson took up horseracing ownership during his reign at United and has continued into his retirement, with his most famous horse being The Rock of Gibraltar.

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