TrustATrader Plate: Shakem Up’Arry makes "dream come true" Redknapp

Harry Redknapp hailed "a dream come true" as the owner enjoyed a first Cheltenham Festival winner courtesy of TrustATrader Plate hero Shakem Up’Arry, who found the scoresheet on a football-orientated day three of the Cheltenham Festival.

Having watched his former managerial rival Sir Alex Ferguson notch a double earlier on the card, it was soon the turn of the former West Ham, Portsmouth and Tottenham boss to return to the Prestbury Park winner’s enclosure with his course specialist – who supplemented his New Year’s Day triumph here in great style.

Sent off at 8-1 favourite, the Ben Pauling-trained 10-year-old travelled supremely in the hands of Ben Jones and having jumped the last already looking the winner, he stuck his head down and galloped all the way to the line.

The victory continued Pauling’s fine run of recent form, with the Naunton Downs handler registering a fourth Festival success. However, it was a first victory for 24-year-old Jones at the meeting having only once previously enjoyed success at the Cotswolds track – aboard Shakem Up’Arry on the duo’s previous start.

Speaking to Racing TV's Lydia Hislop, a delighted Redknapp said: "There's nothing like winning at the Festival, it's a dream come true for me.

"I named him after a guy who used to stand behind me when I managed West Ham, and for 90 minutes he'd shout out to me 'shake them up Harry!' - on Saturday night all I could hear was his voice in my head so when I bought a horse I thought 'I've got to call it 'Shakem Up'Arry!'

"I was probably too nervous to talk this morning. He jumepd for fun, he's a fantastic jumper and Ben Jones gave him an amazing ride. 

"It's special for me, I can't tell you how pleased I am. He's been great, he really has, he's been a real joy to own."

On his affinity with racing, Redknapp continued: "I love the people involved in it, I love racing, a day out anywhere for me - Newbury, Fontwell, Wincanton - I love meeting the people and going and having a chat and having just a good day out, for me it's my type of day. 

"We love the horses and we care about the horses, they get well looked after, people not in the game probably don't realise the care and attention they're given.

"I’ve grown up with racing being a big part of my life. My old nan was the bookie’s runner down our street in the East End and she used to get locked up every day for taking bets. To be here now in this position is incredible. When I was at West Ham [United] as a player, we had a team of punters as that was how it was back in those days. We all loved a bet and we all loved racing.

"Me and [Sir] Alex [Ferguson, who part-owned winners Monmiral and Protektorat today] have had some great days. Going to Old Trafford I used to go in his office at 2.15pm when the teams had been sent out and we would then watch a bit of racing for 15 minutes. We would then go out and I would do my best to try and pull off a miracle and get a result at Old Trafford, as it was that difficult in them days.

"We would watch a bit of racing beforehand as we both loved the racing, and we both loved the football. It is great to see him have two winners today. It was lovely to get that sort of reception."

The trainer said: "It's amazing. He's always been a yard favourite and when he won at New Year I thought it might have cost us this race, but he was brave and good and jumped well as he always does. I'm just thrilled.

I campaigned him pretty badly early in his career - we kept coming horses like Shishkin! - and he deserves his day." 

Her added: "It's so important here but the last few days have been really tough. There's a lot of talk about the Irish and the Englksh and to say that we don't have the hunger for this game is daft. 

"I honestly turned up with three horses yesterday that I thought would be in the three, and I think we beat three horses home. This where it matters, and as long as you get one you can breathe and the old stalwart has chucked his head in front."