Harry Redknapp enjoys Cheltenham Competition winner 2024

Former Tottenham Soccer Membership supervisor Harry Redknapp loved his first style of Cheltenham Competition success in the present day when Shakem Up’Arry took the Trustatrader Plate Handicap Chase for native coach Ben Pauling. It was additionally a primary Competition triumph for jockey Ben Jones.

A delighted Redknapp stated: “That is an unbelievable day and Ben gave him a unbelievable experience. He travelled so effectively and I assumed, ‘Please don’t cease now’. Individuals behind me have been going, ‘Go on Harry, he’s received!’ and I assumed, ‘No he ain’t till he has handed the road’.

“To have a winner on the Cheltenham Competition has been my dream. I wouldn’t wish to learn the way my coronary heart fee is. I’m so happy that I’m misplaced for phrases.”

Harry grew up with racing and it has lengthy been a ardour, alongside soccer.

“My outdated nan was the bookie’s runner down our road within the East Finish and he or she used to get locked up each day for taking bets. To be right here now on this place is unbelievable,” defined Harry.

“I’ve been fortunate to have the ability to get into racing as an proprietor. It’s actually unbelievable for me and it was particular in the present day. You purchase horses and dream of getting a winner at Cheltenham.”

It was a memorable day for not solely Harry, but additionally fellow former soccer supervisor Sir Alex Ferguson, who has shares in Monmiral and Protektorat, who received races earlier within the card at Cheltenham in the present day (14 March).

“Me and Alex have had some nice days,” stated Harry. “Going to Outdated Trafford, I used to go in his workplace at 2.15pm when the groups had been despatched out and we’d watch a little bit of racing for quarter-hour. We’d then exit and I might do my finest to try to pull off a miracle and get a consequence at Outdated Trafford, because it was that tough in them days. It’s nice to see him have two winners in the present day.”

Ben Pauling, for whom it was a fourth Competition winner in his 10-year coaching profession, stated: “I campaigned him [Shakem Up’Arry] very badly within the early a part of his profession and put him in opposition to horses like Shishkin, so he’s deserved his large day and that’s that.

“The previous two days have been actually powerful and there’s been a whole lot of discuss in regards to the Irish and the English, however to say that we don’t have the starvation for the sport is so unsuitable. Now we have as a lot starvation as anybody, and Dan [Skelton]’s proved that.

“We got here right here with group and the outdated stalwart has chucked his head in entrance. It’s nice for Ben [Jones] and it’s nice for the group.”

Ben Jones – whose victory on Shakem Up’Arry on New 12 months’s Day was his first ever at Cheltenham – stated: “I had a stunning place, kicked for residence and after I gave him a squeeze – I can’t inform you what I used to be considering. Fortunately, he was simply idling in entrance and the road got here fast sufficient.

“I punched the air crossing the road. A number of jockeys get criticised for celebrating like that, however wins like this don’t come alongside each day and it’s a must to cherish each single one in all them.

“This horse means loads to me and he’ll be on my wall for a few years to return. All I wished to do rising up was to experience large winners, and after I had just a little style on this horse right here final time, I couldn’t wait to get again within the winners’ enclosure.”

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H&H options, racing and point-to-point editor

Gemma is an skilled journalist, having been a part of the H&H group since 2014, who’s captivated with all equestrian sports activities, together with racing and point-to-pointing. She has loved using out for high trainers Nicky Henderson and Charlie Appleby and took half in a charity Flat race at in August 2018. Gemma’s reporting skills have taken her to quite a few five-star occasions round Britain and Europe, in addition to European championships.