Harry Redknapp enjoys Cheltenham Pageant winner 2024

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

A delighted Redknapp mentioned: “That is an unimaginable day and Ben gave him a unbelievable experience. He travelled so nicely 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 Pageant has been my dream. I wouldn’t prefer to learn how my coronary heart charge 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“My outdated nan was the bookie’s runner down our avenue within the East Finish and she or he used to get locked up daily for taking bets. To be right here now on this place is unimaginable,” defined Harry.

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

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

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 “Going to Outdated Trafford, I used to go in his workplace at 2.15pm when the groups had been despatched out and we’d watch a little bit of racing for quarter-hour. We’d then exit and I might do my finest to try to pull off a miracle and get a outcome at Outdated Trafford, because it was that troublesome in them days.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

Ben Pauling, for whom it was a fourth Pageant winner in his 10-year coaching profession, mentioned: “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 huge day and that’s that.

“The previous two days have been actually robust and there’s been a variety of speak concerning the Irish and the English, however to say that we don’t have the starvation for the sport is so improper. We now have as a lot starvation as anybody, and Dan [Skelton]’s proved that.

“We got here right here with an excellent staff and the outdated stalwart has chucked his head in entrance.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

Ben Jones – whose victory on Shakem Up’Arry on New Yr’s Day was his first ever at Cheltenham – mentioned: “I had a beautiful place, kicked for house and after I gave him a squeeze – I can’t let you know 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. Plenty of jockeys get criticised for celebrating like that, however wins like this don’t come alongside daily and you need to cherish each single certainly one of them.

“This horse means rather a lot to me and he’ll be on my wall for a few years to come back. All I needed to do rising up was to experience huge winners, and after I had a little bit 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 staff since 2014, who’s keen about 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.