'It's not a crime to be second to Willie' - Fergie pays tribute to master Mullins

Former Manchester United manager insists Dan Skelton should be proud of his close-run second place in trainers' championship

CLOSE EYE: Sir Alex Ferguson at Sandown Park Racecourse, Esher. Pic: Steven Paston/PA Wire

Sir Alex Ferguson urged Dan Skelton to be proud of his achievements this season and says "it is not a crime" to be beaten to the trainers' championship by Willie Mullins.

Skelton finished second to the Irishman for a second successive year after taking the fight to the final day of the season, with Mullins emulating the achievement of the great Vincent O'Brien who went back-to-back in the 1950s.