'I'd had a few beers and before I knew it we were trying to buy Honeysuckle'

This interview was first published on Wednesday, March 10

Bookmaker chief executives always take a special interest in results at the Cheltenham Festival, but while it is only the bottom line that matters for many, there was always a sporting reason for Kenny Alexander.

Happily for Alexander, now the former boss of Ladbrokes and Coral's parent company Entain, he does not have to worry about a string of favourites going in next week. In fact, he has very good reason to want one particular favourite to come home in front – Honeysuckle, who will carry Alexander's sky blue and white colours in the Unibet Champion Hurdle on Tuesday.