Alex Ferguson full of admiration for Willie Mullins

Willie Mullins had nine winners at this year's Cheltenham Festival.

Joint owners Alex Ferguson, left, and John Hales celebrate with Monmiral. Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile

Parallels can be drawn between Willie Mullins and Alex Ferguson in the aftermath of a memorable Cheltenham Festival for both.

Ferguson is no stranger to standing at the helm of one of the most successful operations in sport and was the manager who led Manchester United's dominance in English football for 20 years.