SIR ALEX FERGUSON is set to battle Lee Westwood in the Grand National after both entered 50-1 chances for Jump racing’s biggest event.
Manchester United legend Fergie, 79, has entered the Paul Nicholls-trained Give Me A Copper.
While Ryder Cup legend Westwood, 47, is set to be represented by recent 66-1 winner Yorkhill and his other horse, Bellshill.
Both of Westwood’s horses are trained by Sandy Thomson – a former rugby player who, by his own admission, no one had heard of just five years ago.
Wales rugby star Jonathan Davies is another of the big names to have a runner, with last year’s virtual Grand National winner Potters Corner among the entries.
All three will eagerly await the April 10 showpiece run over 4m2f and 30 fences at Aintree Racecourse in Merseyside.
Some 106 horses were entered in all but they will be whittled down to 40 for the race – with two-time defending champ Tiger Roll the 16-1 ante-post favourite.
Westwood has won thousands transforming Yorkhill into a born-again winner.
A dual Cheltenham Festival hero, Yorkhill had fallen totally out of favour before finding a new lease of life under Thomson.
His 66-1 win at Newcastle last year netted Westy a share of £28,000.
Speaking to thejockeyclub.co.uk, Westwood said it was a lifelong ambition to have a runner in the National.
He said: “It’s no secret that I have a real love for racing and that stems from watching big races like the Grand National from a young age. I’ve always wanted to have a runner in the big race, so to have two entered is perfect.
“It was such a thrill to see Yorkhill get back to winning ways at Newcastle in November and you certainly can’t write him off as a multiple Grade One winner, while Bellshill has plenty of class and would certainly have a chance if he runs.
“Sandy Thomson has done a great job with both horses so far and I’d love to win a race that’s famous all over the world.”
Potters Corner was a winner in last year’s virtual Grand National
Davies said of his 25-1 Christian Williams-trained star: “It was such a shame to miss out on a run last year as we felt we had an excellent chance, but these things can’t be helped and winning the virtual race was a pretty good consolation!
“We now want to win the real thing and it will be a thrill to see Potters Corner take on the greatest steeplechase in the world.
“He’s got three National wins to his name now having also won the Midlands and the Welsh, and we definitely fancy our chances of a big run.”
Fergie will be hoping Give Me A Copper picks up after a disappointing last run.
The 11-year-old was pulled up at Doncaster last weekend, but did finish a narrow runner-up in the race before.
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