Harry Redknapp has swooped to buy a Cheltenham Festival horse with a trainer for the royal family.
The former top football manager acquired Back On The Lash ahead of the cross country race on Wednesday.
In the contest, topically sponsored by whisky firm Glenfarclas, the thoroughbred will be going head-to-head with dual Grand National winner Tiger Roll.
Redknapp's new purchase is trained at Martin Keighley's stables near to Cheltenham, which has royal links.
Princess Anne and Zara Tindall both have horses there – and have enjoyed winners with the yard over the years.
And it could be a shrewd move from Redknapp and the horse's co-owners Oliver Ryan, David Maughan and Karen Salters.
That's because Keighley is in the middle of a record-breaking season with 41 winners – and Back On The Lash added to the tally with a memorable success at the course last November.
Excitement is building about his bid for more glory at Cheltenham, where his trainer has had 21 triumphs since he started out in 2006.
"It's great to be able to keep Back On The Lash in the yard following previous owner Mark Boothright's decision to sell him recently," Keighley exclusively told The Mirror.
"We've set up a fabulous partnership. Harry Redknapp has joined our current owners Oliver Ryan, David Maughan and Karen Salters who, with husband Marcus Freer, have enjoyed Festival success already with Coo Star Sivola.
"My two boys, Freddie (14) and Harry (11) are huge sports fans and loved watching Harry Redknapp when he became King of the Jungle.
"So they are very excited that he's now joined our yard."
Without any prior racing experience of the cross country track, Back On The Lash flourished at the first attempt in November.
Jumping the 32 new fences with accuracy, he stayed on strongly up the famous hill at the end of three and three-quarter miles.
The seven-year-old bravely saw off the challenge of Singing Banjo in a close finish.
Back On The Lash then finished fifth behind Diesel D'Allier at the track's fixture in December.
Keighley, whose yard are renowned for celebrating their big winners, hopes to toast another good run given the horse's apt name.
"Back On The Lash seems in great form, he runs well fresh so he has had a winter break," he added.
"His work at home has been good and he schooled over the cross country fences at Cheltenham last week and jockey Sean Bowen was buzzing afterwards."
Bookmakers Betfred are offering odds of 20-1 for Back On The Lash, with their market headed by Tiger Roll, last year's winner, at 13-8.
