Sir Alex Ferguson finds a friend at Aintree
A win at Liverpool would always be a cherished result for Sir Alex Ferguson even if Aintree does not quite have the same impact as Anfield.
The wound inflicted by Bayern Munich, when they eliminated Manchester United from the Champions League on Wednesday night, was still raw on Ferguson but the victory by What A Friend, whom he part owns, in the Grade One totesport Bowl went some way to providing a soothing balm for the United manager.
On paper the race appeared to be at the mercy of Imperial Commander, following his seven-length victory in the Cheltenham Gold Cup. However, the horse appeared to have left much of his élan in the Cotswolds and never looked in any sort of rhythm as the pace was set in a duel for the lead between Carruthers and Nacarat.
Paddy Brennan was niggling at Imperial Commander from as early as the sixth fence and, although he was still in third on the final circuit, he already looked a spent force when another mistake at 14th unseated the rider. It made Imperial Commander another name to add to the astonishing statistic that no Gold Cup winner since Golden Miller won the Grand National in 1934, has gone on to win at Aintree in the same season.
While Brennan had struggled, Ruby Walsh had bided his time on What A Friend, whom Paul Nicholls had held in reserve from the rigours of Cheltenham Festival with this prize in mind. Walsh appeared to have made the telling move when he collared Nacarat after the second-last, but then found himself challenged for the lead by a resurgent Carruthers on the run to the last.
However, What A Friend made the cleaner jump and shot clear to win by three-and-a-quarter lengths with Nacarat third. Fergusson has said that racing has given him an outlet from the stresses of the day job but only so far. “Nobody died last night and life is like that, every day is a different day and so we move on,” he said.
“It doesn’t compensate for last night but you get bad results and you have to move on. We’ve had good results go our way in the past.
“This is fantastic. I’ve been lucky to have a lot of great wins as an owner and this is right up with them. A lot of owners never even have a winner so to win a big one is special. Racing is a great outlet for everyone and people get exhilarated whether they back or own a horse. It takes me away from the pains of the normal job - racing is such a great releasing industry for anyone.”
One of the hallmarks of Fergusson’s managerial career has been his ability to spot young talent and he believes that What A Friend is a young horse with the potential to go to the top. “This is a young horse and the aim is to go for the Gold Cup next year. He’s only seven so I think the opportunity will be next year when he’ll be strong and more mature. We didn’t go to Cheltenham and as you saw with Imperial Commander he was never going to win and I think that’s because he had a hard race at Cheltenham.
“We knew Carruthers and Nacarat would make the running and Ruby was happy to sit behind and his jumping won the race.”
Paul Nicholls was satisfied that his decision not to pitch the horse into the Gold Cup melting pot against stable companions Kauto Star and Denman had been justified but now realises that he may have the next generation knocking on the door. “He’s a baby, he’s only seven and the best is yet to come. The others had their races at Cheltenham but we kept What A Friend for today, this was his Gold Cup.
“I think he could be a Gold Cup horse and next year is the year for him. He’s only had three runs this season and won’t run again and I suspect his next run could be at Haydock in November. Kauto’s big aim next season is to win the King George again and it wouldn’t worry me if we didn’t run beforehand. If we do run somewhere I’d like to find a nice easy race and get his head in front somewhere.
“Kauto Star and Denman will still be around God willing but they and Imperial Commander will all be that bit older and the younger horses could come through and I hope this will be one of them. Every day of every month he is getting better.”
Big Buck’s may not be getting better but he is certainly too good for the opposition and he confirmed himself the best staying hurdler around in the Grade One BGC Partners Liverpool Hurdle. He is not the most exuberant type and it was a workmanlike, rather than flamboyant, performance but Walsh never looked as though he was going to have to work hard for his riding fee as the pair won by two-and-three-quarter lengths.
After some reverses at the Cheltenham Festival it may have been business as usual for Nicholls but the winner’s enclosure at a major meeting was new territory for trainer Michael Smith after 40-1 shot Orsippus won the Matalan Anniversary 4-Y-O Novices’ Hurdle. “I’m just a small trainer with seven horses and my wife owns them all,” he said.
“She said if I didn’t start having winners she’d move them to another yard so I had to do something.”
A win at Liverpool is something to be cherished.
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