Le Brivido triumphs at Royal Ascot denying Spirit of Valour in stirring finish as Ryan Giggs reveals Sir Alex Ferguson gave him winning Jersey Stakes tip from south of France
- Well-backed 2-1 favourite wins over seven furlongs in race for three-year olds
- French raider saw off Aidan O'Brien's 66-1 shot Spirit of Valor in gripping finale
- Former Manchester United star Ryan Giggs is a winner on first Ascot visit
- Sir Alex Ferguson told winger to back Le Brivido from French holiday home
Le Brivido won the Jersey Stakes for trainer Andre Fabre and jockey Pierre-Charles Boudot at Royal ascot this afternoon.
The well-backed 2-1 favourite did superbly well to deny Spirit Of Valor in a stirring finish - pleasing many at the Berkshire course who had backed the horse, which also included a former Manchester United legend.
Giggs, who was in attendance at the iconic horse racing festival that is a stand-out fixture in this country's sporting - and social - calendar, revealed his former boss gave him the nod on the French raider.
2-1 Favourite Le Brivido triumphed in stirring finish during Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot today
Speaking to ITV after he bagged the winner in today's first race he confessed: 'I like a bet when I come - and I had a winner in the first race courtesy of Sir Alex in the South of France!
'I thought, who can I ask for a tip? And he [Sir Alex] came good.'
The idol of Old Trafford added in admiration of the Royal Ascot setting: 'It's stunning.
'It's my first time and it's really impressive'.
Spirit Of Valor, a 66-1 outsider from Aidan O'Brien's yard, looked to have cut loose towards the near-side rail once he gained a slight advantage from Le Brivido inside the final furlong.
But Fabre's inmate, who had previously finished runner-up in the French 2000 Guineas and had raced in the middle of the track, fought back to seize the day by two and a quarter lengths in the Group Three over seven furlongs. Mubatasim was third.
'He's a very nice horse and ran a good race in the French Guineas,' said Boudot, who was claiming a first Royal Ascot winner.
Ryan Giggs revealed he picked the winner of the race, with a tip courtesy of Sir Alex Ferguson
'The horse was a little bit excited behind the gate, but during the race he was very easy. When I asked him, he gave me a nice turn of foot.
'I'm very happy to win here because it is a big meeting, the best in the world.'
Fabre, winning at the Royal meeting for the ninth time, said: 'He looked beaten with a furlong to go, but he showed his class to come back and beat the other horse.
'I thought he was running a bit freely and he'd have preferred to come from further behind, but his action was really good.
'Royal Ascot is special to anybody.'
Most watched Sport videos
- Netflix teases Tom Brady's Greatest Roast of All Time comedy special
- Carlos Tevez has been RUSHED to hospital
- Athletes shine on Laureus Awards red carpet in Madrid
- Two Premier League stars have been ARRESTED
- Arsenal Manager Arteta reflects on 5-0 win against Chelsea
- Mauricio Pochettino is 'disappointed' for Chelsea defeat to Arsenal
- Mike Tyson trains ahead of fight with Jake Paul
- Sheffield United boss speaks after 4-2 loss to Manchester United
- See the moments that made Terry Hill a legendary footy larrikin
- Ruud Gullit on England, the Euros, Chelsea and Man United
- Everton 2-0 Liverpool: Everton Boss Sean Dyche's press conference
- Premier League stars arrested in rape probe have been 'suspended'