Paul Nicholls makes prediction over Sir Alex Ferguson runners at Grand National Festival 2022

Sir Alex Ferguson will be desperate for success at this year’s Grand National meeting because he loves ‘having winners in Liverpool’. That’s the verdict of trainer Paul Nicholls, who retains a close relationship with the former Manchester United manager.

Ferguson, 80, landed an incredible 62/1 treble on the first day of the Aintree Grand National Festival last year with three winners in the opening three races. He has four runners this year, three of whom are trained by Nicholls.

Dan Skelton-trained Protektorat appears to be Fergie’s best chance of more Aintree success. The seven-year-old look set to go off as the favourite in the Grade One Betway Bowl Chase on Thursday having finished a respectable third behind A Plus Tard and Minella Indo in the Cheltenham Gold Cup last month.

Nicholls told betfair: “It’s well-known he (Ferguson) likes beating Liverpool and having winners in Liverpool and he had a fantastic time last year when winning three races at Aintree. This year, he has some good horses with Monmiral, Protektorat, Clan Des Obeaux and Hitman. It looks a bit tougher this year, I’m not sure they’ll win three Grade Ones on the trot, but it’s good to give him plenty of winners and he loves that meeting.

“He’s become a good friend and I’ve known him now for about 15 years. He loves it all and is very involved with the good horses. I love having him on board and I love discussing things with him.”

Nicholls has won 12 trainers titles and is chasing a 13th. The 59-year-old speaks regularly with Ferguson about what it takes to be a serial winner in sport.

Nicholls added: “We’ve spoken a lot about the fact that what we do is very similar. He was in charge of a squad of players and so am I - the horses. Like him, I could say