Grand National 2023: The three horses Man Utd legend Sir Alex Ferguson owns racing at Aintree this weekend

The Grand National is just a few days away and one legendary Manchester United face who is sure to be taking in the action is Sir Alex Ferguson.

The former Red Devils boss loves horse racing and is a much-respected face in the sport as the owner of several respected horses.

Sir Alex enjoyed a successful Cheltenham Festival last month and saw success for his horses, when not being badgered by keen broadcasters for a hilarious headline-making interview.

The football icon is a familiar face at Aintree Racecourse and, now enjoying his retirement, is expected to be in attendance this weekend.

Sir Alex Ferguson horses enjoy Cheltenham Festival success

At Cheltenham in March, Sir Alex owned Protektorat who raced in the prestigious Gold Cup which offers an eye-watering £625,000 jackpot. Fergie also had Hermes Allen and Hitman running in two separate races during the Festival.

Protektorat finished fifth in his big race while Hermes Allen came sixth. It was Hitman, a 25/1 outsider, who stole the show with a third-place finish winning a cool £39,797.50.

Since then, Sir Alex has had some disappointing news regarding another of his horses, Clan Des Obeaux.

Clan Des Obeaux retires after Aintree withdrawal

The 11-year-old is co-owned by the former Man Utd man alongside Paul Barber and Ged Mason. Clan Des Obeaux had won two King Georges, two Aintree Bowls and the Punchestown Gold Cup over the years but was forced to retire this month.

The horse was due to run at Aintree this weekend in the Aintree Bowl but had previously been pulled out of the race due to injury. Now, it has been confirmed the horse has retired.

Nicholls said: "We are announcing that we are retiring Clan Des Obeaux," Nicholls said on his weekly 'Ditcheat Decs' with Betfair.

"He's got a minor injury which just keeps niggling him, it's not going to come right and even if we give him another six months off we'll be in the same situation this time next year.

"He's had a fantastic career, I think he's won over £1m in prize money. He's going to have a happy retirement."

Sir Alex Ferguson owned horses Sonigino, Hitman and Monmiral to race at Aintree

Sir Alex Ferguson doesn't have any horses competing in the Grand National but does nonetheless have horses racing at Aintree over the three-day event.

Sonigino will compete in the William Hill Handicap Hurdle at 2:20 pm on Friday, April 14.

Meanwhile, big-money winner Hitman will be back in action in the Marsh Chase at 3:30 pm on Friday, April 14.

Finally, Fergie's Monmiral will race in the JRL Ground Liverpool Hurdle at 3:35 pm on Saturday, April 15