Premier League legend Harry Redknapp will be without a runner in Saturday’s Grand National after his horse Shakem Up’arry missed out on selection by the narrowest margin
Football legend Harry Redknapp was as sick as a parrot after his horse missed out on running in the Grand National by the narrowest of margins.
The ex-Spurs, West Ham, Bournemouth, Southampton, QPR and Portsmouth manager entered thoroughbred Shakem Up’arry in tomorrow’s showpiece (sat) hoping to land the world’s most famous horse race.
Harry said it was a “dream come true” when the 11-year-old won at last year’s (2024) Cheltenham festival. He hoped it would double up in the Grand National – netting him the £500,000 first prize.
But he was left reeling after being told the horse was No.35 on the list of 34 starters. The league table is compiled in order of how the horses are officially rated.
The horse will still run at Aintree tomorrow but drops down to the William Hill Handicap Chase rather than the National – which is set to be watched by a global TV audience of up to 600 million.
Harry said: “I would have loved him to have run. The Grand National is a fantastic race so I’m disappointed. But I’m still coming up to Aintree. It’s such a great day.
“I’ve always loved the National. My mum won the sweepstake at work when Foinavon (corr) won at 100-1. Most of the other runners fell, and he picked his way through to win.
“I remember listening to it on the radio. It was so exciting and it’s just a great occasion.’’
Redknapp part-owned Back On The Lash which ran in the 2023 National but pulled up in the latter stages of the race.
Harry said: “I think this was Shaken Up’arry’s only shot at the National. I think he would be a bit too old next year so it’s a shame. I’m looking forward to watching him run on Saturday anyway.’’
Harry, 78, put the horses’s success in The Trustatrader Plate Handicap Steeple Chase at Cheltenham down to a lucky tie given to him by his former star player Paolo Di Canio.
The ex-West Ham manager was wearing the blue and purple-patterned accessory for the first time when he watched the race.
He said it was a gift from the 56-year-old Italian football superstar who used to play for him at West Ham.
Posting a photo of himself in a line-up with the winning horse and jockey Ben Jones on Instagram Harry wrote: “What a day. My dream has come true. A winner at Cheltenham with Shake em up Harry!!
“Wearing the lucky tie that Paolo Di Canio gave me and I wore it for the first time yesterday and it bought me all the luck.”