The Cheltenham November meeting is a huge highlight in the jumps calendar to really whet the appetite before the festivals really ramp up in the coming weeks and months.
But for one part-owner, Sir Alex Ferguson, it could be a monumental weekend of racing as a few of his horses have a great chance to scoop the winning prizemoney.
Sir Alex Ferguson on day three of the 2025 Cheltenham Festival at Cheltenham Racecourse. Picture date: Thursday March 13, 2025. PA Photo
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Sir Alex Ferguson on day three of the 2025 Cheltenham Festival at Cheltenham Racecourse. Picture date: Thursday March 13, 2025. PA PhotoCredit: Joe Giddens/PA Wire
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The former Manchester United manager has long been involved in horse racing and has even enjoyed plentiful success in big festivals including Cheltenham.
The football legend is seen every day at Cheltenham Festival and often finds the time to see his horses race across the jumps season too.
The final declarations are still to be decided but even with a couple of non-runners, Ferguson could stand the chance at a massive windfall with the amount of horses he's got set to race this weekend, each with their own solid chances of winning their respective races.
Sir Alex Ferguson horses at Cheltenham
2.20 Friday, Sun's "Save Our Bets" Novices' Chase (£23,776)
Isaac Des Obeux
Wade Out
2.55 Friday, Shloer Chase (£56,950)
L'Eau du Sud
2.20 Saturday, Paddy Power Gold Cup (£91,120)
Il Ridoto
2.55 Sunday, Oddschecker Handicap Chase (£44,580)
Protektorat
If Ferguson does somehow see his horses win every race listed above, him and his co-owners would receive a whopping £216,426.
And of course if they do all win, they will have a whole range of races to aim for the rest of the season.
Not only the 2026 Cheltenham Festival being a big option but also the Christmas meetings at Kempton, in Ireland and Aintree for the Grand National festival.
Il Ridoto races in the biggest race of the weekend for Ferguson, with nearly £100,000 on offer for the win.
With 15 runners in total and all possessing top forms over fences, there could be multiple going down the hill at Cheltenham on Saturday to vie for the win.
Jagwar looks a big danger but Il Ridoto has won here before getting a lot of experience at this course last season with an incredible 15 runs at Cheltenham.
Il Ridoto has been in graded company when running at Cheltenham, including winning there in January 2023, and in this race last year off just 1lb lower.
Many horses need a run to kick off their seasons, but Il Ridoto has already appeared last month at Chepstow so could come into this even stronger after placing well in second.
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Tom Lunn's Horse Racing Profit & Loss
From March '25: +85.59pts
From May '24: +255.97pts
From Oct '23: +395.44pts
All odds correct at time of writing
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