Former Tottenham and West Ham boss Harry Redknapp has an extensive history going up against Sir Alex Ferguson in the dugout. However, the retired tactician showed his old adversary nothing but love after each got their first Cheltenham wins.

Manchester United great Ferguson, 84, had a bumper day when two of his horses, Monmiral and Protektorat, won back-to-back races for the Scot. Redknapp, 79, joined in the celebrations when Shakem Up’Arry won the Plate Handicap Chase, and he made sure to include his fellow Premier League legend as he paid tribute.

"To be here now in this position is incredible," he said following his landmark Cheltenham win. "My main worry is that they [the horses] get round safe, I jump every jump with them and think, ‘Please don’t fall or get hurt’. When they come back safe and sound, especially in front, it’s all the better.

"It’s great for Sir Alex to have a winner as well, we had some great days. Going into his office at Old Trafford at quarter past two when the teams were out and we’d watch a bit of racing for 15 minutes and then we’d go out and I’d do my best to try and pull off a miracle and get a result!

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"We both loved the racing and we both loved the football. For him to get two winners today is great and for me to get a winner is fantastic."

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Monmiral caused a major upset at odds of 25-1 when he took the Pertemps Final for Ferguson's breakthrough win. The Old Trafford icon had owned horses for many years prior to that triumph but had never managed to celebrate a Cheltenham winner.

A great day then got even better as Protektorat topped the podium in the Ryanair Chase. And the Scot could hardly believe his luck as his racing investments started to take flight, with Caldwell Potter adding to his Cheltenham triumphs in 2025.

“I’ve finally had a winner here. Two in 40 minutes! It’s unbelievable, isn’t it? It’s a special place," said Ferguson, who is being slated for more success this year. "It has been probably 20 years that I’ve wanted to have a winner here, as when I first started I just had Flat horses and no National Hunt ones.

“I got interested in the jumps with Ged [Mason] and [the late] John [Hales]. It 100 per cent makes it more enjoyable having a winner with friends. Everyone looks forward to Cheltenham, while on the Flat you have the Derby. These two events are unsurpassed.

“It’s special here, it’s like the Derby or the FA Cup final and I’ve waited a while to experience this. A lot of people who buy horses have never had a winner, never mind here. It’s a feeling of elation.

“Of course it’s not the same as winning at football, that was my life, I was immersed in that, this is what I do for pleasure so it’s a different feeling. I don’t have to worry about it, I leave that to the trainer.”