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Sir Alex Ferguson was in the Cheltenham Festival winner’s enclosure as Paul Nicholls got off the mark for the week when Monmiral hunted down Kyntara in the Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle.
Running in the famous yellow colours of Ferguson’s co-owner John Hales, the seven-year-old has always been held in high regard by those at Ditcheat.
Despite that, he was sent off at 25-1 in the hands of Harry Cobden, sporting first-time blinkers as he was given a patient ride by his title-chasing jockey.
Cobden edged his mount into contention heading down hill for the second time, but it seemed the bird had flown when the bold front-running Kyntara set sail in his bid to provide Mel Rowley with a first Festival success.
However, Monmiral still had plenty in reserve and emerged as Kyntara’s sole challenger at the last before storming home to crush the long-time leader’s dreams.
The former Manchester United manager has three more runners on Thursday, with Protektorat running in the Ryanair Chase at 2:50pm.
Monmiral won the Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle on Day Three at Cheltenham
![Sir Alex Ferguson celebrates as Monmiral stormed home at Prestbury Park](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/14/14/82466223-13196845-image-a-3_1710426651551.jpg)
Sir Alex Ferguson celebrates as Monmiral stormed home at Prestbury Park
Meanwhile, Il Ridoto is running the Festival Plate Handicap Chase at 4:10pm where he will up against Harry Redknapp’s horse Shakem Up’Arry.
Ferguson was full of praise for Cobden.
‘This is fantastic, brilliant. What a jockey,’ Ferguson told ITV.
Meanwhile, Cobden could hardly believe the result.
‘I can’t believe this horse has won that,’ he told ITV.
‘I ticked the box this morning and he was 25-1. I thought he should be 125-1.
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