Tag Archive for: Lucinda Russell

Rambler been there and done that at Cheltenham – now for ‘ticket to greatness’ at Aintree

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The Randox Grand National is Corach Rambler’s “ticket to greatness” as Lucinda Russell goes in search of her second victory in the world’s most famous steeplechase.

The Kinross-based handler is well-versed in preparing one for Aintree. She sent out the late One For Arthur to become only the second-ever Scottish-trained winner of the race in 2017 and nursed her National hero back to his best while many were crying for retirement to finish sixth at the age of 10 in 2019.

Since One For Arthur so memorably landed a telling blow six years ago, only the Covid pandemic has been able to stop the Irish domination on Merseyside.

But now the Scottish handler has the perfect candidate to blunt the challenge from across the Irish Sea in Corach Rambler – the upwardly mobile eight-year-old who finds himself near the top of the betting for the big race following back-to-back victories at the Cheltenham Festival.

Corach Rambler ridden by Derek Fox on their way to winning the Ultima Handicap Chase on day one of the Cheltenham Festival
Corach Rambler ridden by Derek Fox on their way to winning the Ultima Handicap Chase on day one of the Cheltenham Festival (Mike Egerton/PA)

“I definitely think he has the qualities,” said Russell, when assessing her charge’s chances.

“He’s got the bravery and he has the desire to race and the will to win. It’s up to him and Derek (Fox, jockey) now to see if they take to the fences and keep out of trouble throughout the race.

“I think we saw at Cheltenham that he stays very well and he seems to travel really well as well. Although he gets sort of shuffled back sometimes, I thought he travelled much better this year than he did last year. That certainly gives you hope for Aintree.

“The big question is will he take to the fences and that will be a bit different for him. But his jumping seems to be one of his assets, it’s not that he’s extra flamboyant or anything, he’s very neat in his jumping. Although he’s a bold horse, he’s not stupid about things and that bodes well for Aintree.”

Not only is the dual Ultima winner one of the stars of Russell’s rapidly-improving string, but he is also the apple of her partner Peter Scudamore’s eye.

Peter Scudamore and Lucinda Russell consider Corach Rambler part of the family
Peter Scudamore and Lucinda Russell consider Corach Rambler part of the family (Andrew Milligan/PA)

Corach Rambler and the former champion jockey are an inseparable pair and with the gelding very much part of the family at Arlary House, the bond between man and horse adds an extra layer of emotion ahead of their tilt at National glory.

“This is going to be very different to One For Arthur because this horse is very close to Scu which adds an extra angle to it,” continued Russell.

“Arthur was a horse we loved greatly, but it is a bit different when Corach is a horse that you half-invite into the house and is very close to us.

“That will add an extra anxiety to Scu’s day definitely, and I’m sure mine as well.

“That makes it even more special and for a horse like Corach, it’s his ticket to greatness. He’s won twice at the Festival and winning the same race two years running is quite an achievement – but it would be lovely for him if he could add a National.”

Cameron Sword, Thomas Kendall, Keith Garwood and Gary Scott, co-owners of Corach Rambler
Cameron Sword, Thomas Kendall, Keith Garwood and Gary Scott, co-owners of Corach Rambler (Andrew Milligan/PA)

It is easy to make comparisons between One For Arthur and this year’s contender. Both headed to Liverpool with a rating in the mid-to-late 140s and there are no secrets in the way big-race pilot Fox will navigate the 30 fences – biding his time and hoping to produce Corach Rambler deep into the contest as he did to great success previously.

However, the Kinross-based handler believes Corach Rambler’s ground versatility is one huge difference which could prove key on the big day.

She said: “I think we’re lucky with that, whereas Arthur was a horse who needed soft ground, and although he handled the good ground, it damaged him in the long run.

“I don’t feel that with Corach, I feel he can actually go on most grounds which is quite heartening ahead of a National.

“The ground isn’t a problem to him which is a big thing when you are taking on a race like the Grand National, because you never know what conditions are going to be like and you are only aiming at the one race – it’s not like you can stop and go somewhere else the next week.”

Corach Rambler will race off a mark 2lb lower than that of One For Arthur on Merseyside, but far from careful planning, it is just simple luck and a helping hand from the weather gods that sees the six-time winner line-up 10lb well-in following his win at Prestbury Park.

“It’s funny how it works out,” explained Russell. “After Newbury (Coral Gold Cup) we said we’d aim for the National and run one more time, and we kept entering him in all these races.

“We would have run him at Lingfield (on Winter Million weekend) if it had been on and it’s probably a good thing he didn’t run at Lingfield because he might have gone up in the handicap.

“In the end we look like total geniuses because he’s gone up 10lb after the weights have come out due to winning at Cheltenham.”

One of the endearing features of the Russell-Scudamore operation is the warmth shown by both trainer and assistant towards those housed at the yard.

And despite having total faith in their ability to prepare a horse for the big occasion, the strong connection they share with their inmates means there will be plenty of nerves when Corach Rambler faces the starter at 5.15pm on April 15.

“It would be slightly different (this year) because we have more confidence and we know how to produce the horses, knowing what it takes to win a National.” explained the handler.

“But there is still going to be the stress and anxiety of getting the luck in running. We get very close to these horses and in the last couple of years we seem to be getting even closer still because we ride them ourselves and are really hands on, it does add that extra element to it.”

A second National would be the perfect way for Russell to round off a stellar season which has seen her eclipse her previous best campaign numerically.

Grand National winner One For Arthur pictured with trainer Lucinda Russell at her yard in Kinross, Scotland
Grand National winner One For Arthur pictured with trainer Lucinda Russell at her yard in Kinross, Scotland (Ian Rutherford/PA)

Scooping the £500,000 first-prize would also take her past the £1million prize-money mark for the first time and shows the power the Aintree showpiece has to alter the course of a trainer’s journey.

“Arthur was a huge boost for the yard and shot us into people’s perceptions and we have been able to build on that,” said Russell.

“People say winning a National will change your life and I was kind of in denial, but it genuinely did. It does change your life and it changes your perception of yourself and boosts your own self confidence as much as other peoples.”

“The fact we have had a Cheltenham Festival winner this year and have some lovely novice hurdlers that we can’t wait to go over fences with next year, the future is looking very rosy, and if we can add a Grand National it would really show what a super season we have had.”

No surprises, as big names all stand ground for National

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All the leading contenders for the Randox Grand National have stood their ground at the five-day declaration stage for Saturday’s big race at Aintree.

A maximum field of 40 looks assured for the £1million showpiece, with Corach Rambler heading the market for Lucinda Russell.

Last year’s winner and recent Gold Cup fourth Noble Yeats will bid to join the likes of Red Rum and Tiger Roll as a multiple winner of world’s greatest steeplechase.

Venetia Williams, who won the prize in 2009 with 100-1 shot Mon Mome, will rely on Cloudy Glen for the late Trevor Hemmings, with Royale Pagaille bypassing the race for the Irish version added to the withdrawal of her Haydock Grand National Trial winner Quick Wave.

Lucinda Russell with National favourite Corach Rambler
Lucinda Russell with National favourite Corach Rambler (Andrew Milligan/PA)

The defection of that duo means good news for trainers Sam Thomas and Gordon Elliott, who see Our Power and Dunboyne respectively sneaking in near the foot of the handicap, while Francky Du Berlais, Fortescue, Back On The Lash and Defi Bleu are also guaranteed a run.

Envoi Allen, The Shunter, Gin On Lime and Battleoverdoyen also had places in the field but were removed as the contenders were whittled down to 50, with the Elliott-trained Gevrey and Punitive, who are next on the list, potentially missing the cut. Gevrey though ran a huge race in the Irish National, going down by just a length in a last-gasp finish.

Our Power, winner of four of his eight starts over fences, including Ascot’s London Gold Cup and the Coral Trophy at Kempton on his previous two runs, carries just 10st in the four-and-a-quarter-mile marathon.

Dunboyne, who was runner-up in the Thyestes at Gowran Park and then fourth in the Kim Muir at Cheltenham, is one of seven sure of a place in the line-up for County Meath handler Elliott as he bids for a fourth win following the success of Silver Birch (2007) and Tiger Roll (2018 and 2019).

Delta Work leads Gordon Elliott's team
Delta Work leads Gordon Elliott’s team (Mike Egerton/PA)

Delta Work and Galvin, who gave Elliott a one-two in Cheltenham’s cross-country chase, spearhead the Summerhill handler’s team, which also includes Coko Beach, Fury Road, Escaria Ten and the aforementioned Defi Bleu, although he too was in action in the Irish National, outrunning his odds to be third.

Any Second Now, who was runner-up to 50-1 winner Noble Yeats 12 months ago, tops the weights with 11st 12lb for Ted Walsh.

He is one of five horses who will bid to give owner JP McManus a third victory following those of Don’t Push It (2010) and Minella Times (2021).

No less than 34 of the 50 left are Irish-trained, with the all-conquering Willie Mullins set to saddle five in Capodanno, Carefully Selected, Gaillard Du Mesnil, Mr Incredible and Recite A Prayer.

All systems go for Corach Rambler, as Russell bids for more National acclaim

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Lucinda Russell could not be happier with Randox Grand National favourite Corach Rambler as the big day draws ever nearer.

The nine-year-old became just the fourth horse in history to win the Ultima Handicap at the Cheltenham Festival more than once, and he will head to Aintree officially 10lb ‘well-in’.

Russell stated at the beginning of the season this campaign revolved around two races and with the first box ticked, she is building him up for the second assignment with the help of partner and assistant, former champion jockey Peter Scudamore.

“The prep is going really well. He ran at Cheltenham in the middle of March and since then it was a matter of letting him recover,” said Russell.

Peter Scudamore (left) and Lucinda Russell, with Corach Rambler
Peter Scudamore (left) and Lucinda Russell, with Corach Rambler (Andrew Milligan/PA)

“That was the first thing and then since it has been sort of winding him up again to Aintree.

“He is a very straightforward horse to deal with in one way, but in another way, Scu rides him every day so I don’t have total control over what work he does.

“But he is just coming to himself, he looks very fit and I am very pleased with his weight and stuff and it is just a case of getting him in the right mind space now.”

Russell, of course, has already entered the history books by providing Scotland with just its second win in the great race when One For Arthur galloped to success in 2017.

He died recently at the age of 14 after suffering colic, and the poignancy of that is not lost on the Kinross-based trainer.

Corach Rambler inhabits the same box One For Arthur used to
Corach Rambler inhabits the same box One For Arthur used to (Andrew Milligan/PA)

“Yes, I mean it is poignant, I always say that the wins are not just for the horse’s own glory, but it is for everyone else around them. It would be lovely,” she said.

“I know that the Two Golf Widows who owned One For Arthur, they are very excited again about us having a runner in the National.

“It is just lovely, the support that we have from everyone. Arthur was funny, he really did become family and his owners are very good friends of ours now.

“Corach already is family because Scu rides him all the time, but it is nice and it means so much to us.”

Famously some of the biggest names in racing have never won the Grand National and Russell has not even dared to think about winning it twice.

Lucinda Russell holding the Ultima trophy, which Corach Rambler won for a second time last month
Lucinda Russell holding the Ultima trophy, which Corach Rambler won for a second time last month (Andrew Milligan/PA)

She said: “Gosh, I haven’t really thought about it.

“I always said it wouldn’t change my life (winning the National) but it did change my life to start with.

“Crikey, can it change my life again? I don’t know.

“But it is just nice because I feel that I am the figurehead but actually it is the people who sort of do it all. There is a lot of people behind so it is not really just for me, it is for everyone else.”

Russell is more than doing her bit to keep racing in Scotland on the map, which given that means competing against the likes of Willie Mullins, Paul Nicholls, Gordon Elliott and Nicky Henderson on a regular basis is no mean feat.

“For this race, there is a lot of Irish horses in it. We have to do it all the time,” said Russell.

Lucinda Russell walks Corach Rambler through her yard
Lucinda Russell walks Corach Rambler through her yard (Andrew Milligan/PA)

“When you get to the top level you are competing against top-level horses, where they get trained doesn’t make much of a difference to me.

“It is exciting taking them on but it is not overwhelming.

“Arthur really put us on the map when he won, and I think that got the interest in racing from people (in Scotland) who weren’t normally interested in the racing.

“I think that if Corach was to win it this year, it would certainly increase the attention we are getting in Scottish racing.”

One constant at the yard since One For Arthur’s success has been jockey Derek Fox, and he will once again take the reins with Russell full pf praise for his main attributes.

Derek Fox celebrates after winning the Ultima for a second time on Corach Rambler
Derek Fox celebrates after winning the Ultima for a second time on Corach Rambler (Mike Egerton/PA)

“He is just a fantastic person. He works here in the yard, he is in here every day,” she said.

“He knows the horses inside out. He is a tremendous horseman. He really gets the horses.

“He is very strong, very fit and he has got a racing brain that during the race he doesn’t panic. I think for races like the National and races at the top level you have to have someone who doesn’t see the red mist and Derek is supremely calm about things. It is great”.

Russell sadly lost her father this year, a main driving force behind her early days as a trainer.

“I always say about dad that I think everything we do is a tribute to him,” she said.

“When he was alive it was a tribute to him.

“He has passed away now but I think he would be proud of what we do and of course there is a lot of emotion to it. Really just the emotion of losing dad is overwhelming but the horses keep me pretty well grounded about things.”

Russell and Scudamore pay tribute to One For Arthur

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One For Arthur, who won the 2017 Grand National for Lucinda Russell, has died from Colic at the age of 14.

Owned by Belinda McClung and Deborah Thomson, One For Arthur raced under the name of the Two Golf Widows and delivered Scotland’s second success in the race following Rubstic’s victory in 1979.

Winner of Warwick’s Classic Chase, he went on to Aintree glory that same season under Derek Fox and while injury scuppered his follow-up bid the next year, he returned to finish sixth to Tiger Roll in 2019.

He was being primed for the 2020 National, but the race was cancelled because of the Covid pandemic and he was retired that November.

“He was everything a woman wants in a man,” said Russell. “He was brave, honest and kind.

“He was the ideal National horse. He was such an athlete, had loads of stamina, lots of bravery, loved the fences and took his time.

“He was just a fabulous horse to have and set the yard off, and hopefully he would be proud of what we are doing now. He was the springboard for our yard.

“He had a great retirement. He was 14 fitted a lot into his years.”

One For Arthur went on to have a second career in the show ring, in the care of Aisling Dwan, daughter of the Grand National winner’s breeder, John.

He competed at the Dublin Horse Show in August alongside Tiger Roll and returned to Scotland to take part in hunter trials under former work-rider Ailsa McClung.

Peter Scudamore, Russell’s partner and assistant at Arlarly House Stables, felt that his potential was unlocked by the women who adored him.

“It’s only just dawning on us how important he was to us,” said Scudamore. “What was so lovely was that all the girls were around him.

“The Two Golf Widows are wonderful characters and then obviously Lucinda trained him.

“Ailsa McClung looked after him at home and rode him at home. Then Jamie Duff and Erin Walker played a huge part in looking after him.

“Basically, he was owned by women, trained by a woman and looked after by girls all the time and I feel very sad for them, because they adored him and gave him a most magnificent life.

One For Arthur’s owners Belinda McClung (centre) and Deborah Thomson with trainer Lucinda Russell (left) with the trophy
One For Arthur’s owners Belinda McClung (centre) and Deborah Thomson with trainer Lucinda Russell (left) with the trophy (Ian Rutherford/PA)

“He had a good life, but it is they who will miss him, because they adored him.

“He came back to Dumfries just before Christmas to Ailsa and she took him out hunting and cross country and he loved it. He was a great character.”

One For Arthur earned £622,437 in prize-money and won seven times, and while he will be remembered for his Aintree heroics, it is his character and gentle demeanour that he will be most fondly remembered for by those who looked after him.

One For Arthur and Derek Fox jump the last in the 2017 Grand National
One For Arthur and Derek Fox jump the last in the 2017 Grand National (Niall Carson/PA)

Scudamore added: “I think the women surrounding him saw his character more than I did to begin with, but then I just watched him blossom towards that race.

“I really do feel that, because of the love and the adoration the girls gave him, I feel his full character came through. He knew he’d won. He reacted off the adoration he was given.”

Corach Rambler is the Ultima hero once again

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Corach Rambler enhanced his claims for the Randox Grand National when becoming the fourth back-to-back winner of the Ultima Handicap Chase.

Lucinda Russell’s 6-1 favourite pounced late to land the Cheltenham Festival spoils 12 months ago and was ridden cold once again by Derek Fox.

Always travelling easily for the National-winning pilot, the enigmatic nine-year-old was coaxed into contention as the race began to unfold and was then asked to join the party jumping the last – from where he knuckled down gamely to stay on to the line, holding off Martin Brassil’s Fastorslow to extend the dominance of British-trained horses in this race.

He will now head to Aintree on April 15 and was made the 7-1 joint-favourite for the Merseyside marathon by Betfair, while William Hill go further with Corach Rambler their 6-1 favourite, cut from 10s.

Russell’s partner and assistant Peter Scudamore said: “It’s a great thrill. I do appreciate how incredibly fortunate I am and if a bolt of lightning hits me on the way out, I’d die a happy man.

“The funny thing is that his jumping is getting better and he was closer than last year.

“All Derek wants to do is go out there and ride and that is the mark of the man.”

Russell added: “It’s such a special pleasure to be here and to watch the horse enjoying himself.

“The track is so stiff but he picked up speed round the corner. It was phenomenal.

“When he hits the front he pulls himself up a bit – it’s just magic that you can have a runner here, let alone a winner.

“He will now go the Aintree for the National. He deserves to have a crack and that’s the next step.”

Michael O’Sullivan struck aboard Jazzy Matty in the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle to cap a fine opening day for the young rider who earlier took the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle with Marine Nationale.

Jazzy Matty ridden by Michael O’Sullivan on their way to winning the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle on day one of the Cheltenham Festival
Jazzy Matty ridden by Michael O’Sullivan on their way to winning the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle on day one of the Cheltenham Festival (Mike Egerton/PA)

The 18-1 scorer led home an all-Irish one-two-three-four to get Gordon Elliott off the mark for the week.

Elliott said: “I’m absolutely delighted. The horse is a brother to Delta Work, who is obviously a very good chaser for us.

“We knew he had a good enough mark coming over, but we thought he might just lack the experience.

“It is great to get a winner – I thought I might struggle to get a winner today to be honest. We had a few each-way chances, but to pull something out on the first day is unbelievable.”

The Cullentra House handler was also full of praise for the winning rider.

He added: “He doesn’t get that many rides for us, but he comes into the yard every Monday, never says anything, if I give him a ride, I give him a ride.

“I actually thought he claimed five (pounds). I put him down on the horse and I didn’t realise he claimed three (in England). I think he was lucky that if I’d copped it, it might not have happened, but in fairness he gave the horse a brilliant ride. He was slow at the last but didn’t panic. I’m delighted for him.”

O’Sullivan added: “It is unbelievable. Thanks very much to Gordon and the Browns for putting me up on him.

“I suppose I’m claiming 5lb in Ireland but only claiming 3lb here, so I probably lost a couple of rides in handicaps because of that, but in fairness to Gordon, he kept me on him.

“He got a bit of a fright at the first hurdle and was very careful after that. I thought we went very slow and he’s a big horse, so I gave him plenty of room and he travelled everywhere for me. I knew coming to the last I was wrong, but I didn’t want to be confusing him, because he was being careful up until then.

“I was confident enough I had plenty of horse left and I’d say he won with a bit in hand,. He is a nice horse going forward.”

Patrick Mullins won the WellChild National Hunt Challenge Cup Amateur Jockeys’ Novices’ Chase for the second year in a row aboard his father’s Gaillard Du Mesnil.

Gaillard Du Mesnil ridden by Patrick Mullins wins the WellChild National Hunt Challenge Cup Amateur Jockeys’ Novices’ Chase on day one of the Cheltenham Festival
Gaillard Du Mesnil ridden by Patrick Mullins wins the WellChild National Hunt Challenge Cup Amateur Jockeys’ Novices’ Chase on day one of the Cheltenham Festival (David Davies for the Jockey Club/PA)

The Willie Mullins-trained seven-year-old has placed in Grade One company at the last two Festivals, but it looked as if the 10-11 favourite had his work cut out to reel in the forward-going Mahler Mission.

However, John McConnell’s charge tipped up at the second-last to allow Gaillard Du Mesnil to put his stamina to good use and stay on past Chemical Energy in the closing stages.

He was shortened into 12-1 from 16s by Coral for the Grand National, but his handler indicated that race may come too soon in the aftermath.

“I think we were a bit fortunate to be honest with John McConnell’s horse falling, but that’s racing,” said Mullins.

“It was a tough three miles and six furlongs and while we were behind, Patrick thought they’d gone fast enough. I’m very happy.

“I don’t know about Aintree, I don’t know if it will come too soon for him so we’ll see.

“I’m thrilled for the owners, Joe and Marie (Donnelly), they were second in the Champion Hurdle, too.”

Patrick Mullins said: “He jumped a bit high. I think it was the white fences. We had the put in at home and he jumped them high there, too.

“Over that distance you just want them to pop, not expand energy, but after the first circuit he was better.”

Russell team talking Cheltenham for Douglas

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Douglas Talking will be aimed at next week’s Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Handicap Chase at Cheltenham in the hope he gets the chance to back up “a special performance” at Sandown on Tuesday.

The seven-year-old took his tally to five wins from eight attempts over fences when sauntering to a 13-length success under Patrick Wadge.

Victory continued the blistering recent form of the Lucinda Russell yard, which has scored with its last five runners.

It was his second win in as many visits to the Esher track and Russell’s partner and assistant, eight-times champion jockey Peter Scudamore, feels the manner in which he won warrants a step up into better company.

“My dad always thought Sandown was the best place to ride a steeplechaser,” said Scudamore.

“I remember riding Celtic Shot in a handicap hurdle one day and Kevin Mooney, a man whose judgement I hugely respected, came up and said, ‘Only very, very good horses can finish up the hill like that’.

“I thought it was a special performance on Tuesday, as I didn’t think we’d beat Venetia’s horse (Gamaret).

“We were very happy and very pleasantly surprised – you rarely see horses winning like that at Sandown.”

Scudamore admitted that if he fails to make the cut for Wednesday’s Grand Annual, Douglas Talking looks set for a step up in class at Aintree.

The Close Brothers Red Rum Handicap Chase, over two miles on the first of the three-day Grand National meeting, is a possible landing spot.

Scudamore added: “I remember taking him to Aintree first time over hurdles, thinking he would win and he ran badly. It wasn’t until he jumped fences that he showed the form on the racetrack that he did at home.

“He won well at Ayr previously and I’ll declare him for the Grand Annual, but he will come into the Aintree scenario, as he might not get in the Grand Annual.

“The Aintree race seems a sensible stepping stone. I always thought he wanted fast ground, maybe because of his wind, but twice he’s gone to Sandown now and he’s won on softer ground than I thought he wanted.”

Apple Away could step up in class at Aintree
Apple Away could step up in class at Aintree (Richard Sellers/PA)

Russell is primed to send a strong team to Aintree, spearheaded by Grand National hope Corach Rambler and Ahoy Senor, provided they take their respective Cheltenham tests in the Ultima and Cheltenham Gold Cup well.

Apple Away, who followed up her Ayr handicap hurdle win in a Listed mares’ novices’ hurdle at Doncaster on Saturday, will be among the yard’s top hopes at the Liverpool track.

Scudamore sees something of the yard’s 2012 Grade One Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle winner in the six-year-old.

He explained: “We’ve always thought a lot of her. I think she is a relentless galloper. She doesn’t get tired. She reminds me of Brindisi Breeze.

“We will probably have a better team for Aintree than we will for Cheltenham and we will be thinking of the three-mile (Sefton) Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree for her, depending on ground. I’m very hopeful for her.”

Peter Scudamore and Lucinda Russell will send strong team to Aintree
Peter Scudamore and Lucinda Russell will send strong team to Aintree (Alan Crowhurst/PA)

Esprit Du Potier has won the last two of his three bumpers and drew readily clear of his rivals at Ayr last month. He could also be in the mix.

Scudamore added: “He is a nice horse who we are really, really pleased with. He was impressive at Ayr and he might make the team for Aintree.

“Corach, Ahoy Senor, Douglas Talking, Apple Away and Esprit Du Potier could all go to Aintree, and it would be nice for a stable of our stature to go there and compete against the best.”

Ahoy Senor back to his best for emotional Cotswold Chase success

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Ahoy Senor put himself in the Cheltenham Gold Cup picture when securing an emotional success for Lucinda Russell in the Paddy Power Cotswold Chase.

Runner-up in the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase on his only previous visit to Prestbury Park, the eight-year-old had struggled this season in open company and was winning for the first time since taking the Mildmay Novices’ Chase four starts ago.

Derek Fox was content to track Bryony Frost and Frodon on the first circuit and although Sounds Russian shot clear during the second lap of the New Course, a juddering error from Ruth Jefferson’s charge four from home gave the pack chance to close the gap and most crucially Ahoy Senor the opportunity to ensure an all-northern finish to this Grade Two contest.

Neck and neck jumping the last, the duo were soon embroiled in a terrific tussle up the Cheltenham hill with Ahoy Senor prevailing by one and a half lengths and Grand National hero Noble Yeats a further length back in third.

Betfair went 10-1 from 50s for the blue riband in March, while Coral offer slightly bigger odds of 12-1.

Russell said: “I’m really pleased. It is just the excitement of having a horse of that quality again. He’s always been good, but he just had to learn about it and today I think he just came of age.

Derek Fox talks to the media
Derek Fox talks to the media (David Davies/PA)

“In my mind, I thought he was going to take a lead and when he came into the paddock, Derek said I’m just going to go forward, and I thought ‘great’, and actually he was right, because it let him get his freshness out of him and then let Frodon give him a lead.

“He is just fantastic with the horse and they both trust each other and the confidence that he has got has been fantastic. I’m delighted and it is nice to see our monster back.

“I’m just pleased with him as I thought his jumping was OK and when he came round that bottom corner and accelerated, I did get a bit excited.

“I really hope he’ll go to the Gold Cup. Whatever happens, he will definitely get an entry.”

The Kinross-based trainer lost her father Peter this week and spoke poignantly in the winner’s enclosure at how much Ahoy Senor had meant to him.

“It is very emotional. My dad was a fantastic person and he was so proud. He’d been ill for a year, I remember being in tears at Newbury when he (Ahoy Senor) won the John Francome Novices’ Chase,” she said.

“It was good in a way, because I spent a year saying thank you to dad and I appreciated him.

“As he went on in his life, racing meant more to him. He’d talk to me about about which races we were going to and he’d phone me before the race and after the races and I will miss that intensely.

“This horse, he was interested in and loved and really wanted him to do well.

“Dad ran down a bit. We had two winners at Kelso and he was a little bit frailer at that point and he only went to hospital for 24 hours.

“To everyone, just say thank you to your dad, just tell them how much they mean to you, because I had the chance to do that. Say thank you. It was dad that set me up, dad that has given me that desire, that determination. He’d be very proud today and I’m really going to miss not phoning him on the way home.”

Peter Scudamore, Russell’s partner and assistant, said: “I’ve said he is the best horse we have ever trained then you begin to doubt yourself, but things eventually come right in the end and that is what sport is about.

“Using a cricket analogy when he gets it right he is like Ian Botham, when he gets it wrong he can be back in the pavilion out for 10.

“He is clearly a horse with a lot of ability, but you just need a lot of luck. He is good enough to contest a Gold Cup – whether it is this year or not, I don’t know.

“His death (that of Russell’s father) is bigger than a horse race. I remember riding a horse called Gambling Prince whose owner died and I went and won on it. I do think they do sometimes smile down and that there is a God up there that helps.”

Ruth Jefferson was pleased by the efforts of her brave runner-up, but is still to decide if the Gold Cup is the right destination for her consistent eight-year-old.

“We’re still between a rock and a hard place – we’re no further forward,” said Jefferson.

“It was a really good performance, but I think there is more strength in depth with the Irish horses.

“I know Minella Indo and A Plus Tard are potentially getting older and I know last year’s race was also a bit of a sprint finish. But Galopin Des Champs has to come out at Leopardstown next weekend, so we will see what he does and then when we have more facts we can make a better decision.

Sounds Russian was a brave runner-up in the Paddy Power Cotswold Chase
Sounds Russian was a brave runner-up in the Paddy Power Cotswold Chase (Mike Egerton/PA)

“On the whole I’m very happy. He travelled and jumped and Sean (Quinlan) gave him a fabulous ride. When they slowed it down he did the right thing, we just got beat by the better horse on the day.

“He deserves to win a big prize, I don’t think it will be a Gold Cup, but he can try.”

Meanwhile one horse who will line-up on March 17 is Noble Yeats, who will take in the blue riband en route to a defence of his National crown.

“You can’t be unhappy with that run,” said owner Robert Waley-Cohen. “The horses at level weights finished behind and the horses behind were conceding weight, and he finished very strongly.

Noble Yeats at Cheltenham
Noble Yeats at Cheltenham (David Davies/PA)

“He has won over two miles two, two miles seven, three mile one and four mile two, so what his trip is we don’t know, but probably further is better.

“That was important today, as he gets experience on the New Course, which is the same track as the Gold Cup.

“The plan is the Gold Cup and then the Grand National – and I don’t envy the handicapper his dilemma.

“He never looks very flashy. He just keeps jumping away. He came up that hill well.”

Russell considering Rambler’s route to Aintree

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Lucinda Russell is still to decide which route Corach Rambler will take to the Randox Grand National on April 15.

Given a peach of a ride from Derek Fox when swooping late to snatch the Ultima Handicap Chase at last year’s Cheltenham Festival, the son of Jeremy was again doing his best work late when finishing fourth in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury in November – and Russell believes his running style makes him the perfect candidate for the Merseyside marathon she won in 2017 with One For Arthur.

The nine-year-old featured amongst the list of entries for the Paddy Power Cotswold Chase at Prestbury Park on Saturday and although still a possible for that race if the stable’s Gold Cup hope Ahoy Senor is rerouted to Newbury, the Kinross handler is tempted to wait until the weights for the Aintree showpiece are finalised before breaking cover.

Options include Haydock’s Grand National Trial on February 18 and closer to home in the bet365 Premier Chase at Kelso on March 4 – a race used in the past by the likes of Ballabriggs, Cloth Cap and Many Clouds en route to Aintree.

“Corach Rambler is in fantastic form, said Russell. “You know that Scu (Peter Scudamore) rides him all the time and he gets off and says how tired he is.

“He’s a lovely horse and he wins through his personality as much as his ability. He’s a horse that loves coming from off the pace in a big handicap as we saw in the Ultima and for that reason we’re quite keen to go to Aintree for the Grand National.

“We have to decide how we get there and we have the option of the Grand National Trial at Haydock, we have the option of the Premier Chase at Kelso.

“We were going to go to the Fleur De Lys (at Lingfield) but as soon as I saw all the inspections, I pulled the plug on that.

“I don’t want him to go up too much in the handicap as I think he’s off quite a nice weight for Aintree, so it’s just a question of how we get him there.”

Derek Fox and connections of Corach Rambler celebrate winning the Ultima Handicap Chase during day one of the Cheltenham Festival last year
Derek Fox and connections of Corach Rambler celebrate winning the Ultima Handicap Chase during day one of the Cheltenham Festival last year (Nigel French/PA)

She continued: “He’s in at Cheltenham and there’s probably a question mark on him running there. That said, if the race cut up and Ahoy Senor went to Newbury, it leaves the way open for Corach and although he’s only run there twice, he’s unbeaten round Cheltenham and we know he likes the track.

“It could be that we do Cheltenham then Kelso. I would quite like to support the Kelso race and the timing is quite nice with it being five weeks before the Grand National.”

Ahoy Senor team keen on Cotswold Chase run

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Ahoy Senor has been given the chance to get some more Cheltenham experience as one of 11 entries for the Paddy Power Cotswold Chase at Prestbury Park on Saturday.

Lucinda Russell’s stable star was second in his sole appearance at the track when chasing home L’Homme Presse at last year’s Festival but went on to reverse that form when scooping Grade One honours at Aintree the following month.

He was last seen fading into fifth in the King George at Kempton on Boxing Day and although the eight-year-old is joined on the list of possibles by stablemate Corach Rambler, the Kinross-based handler has reported Ahoy Senor will be her main dart at the Grade Two contest – with the Gold Cup in March still the dream.

“Ahoy Senor is in great form,” said Russell. “This is the first choice for him with second choice being the Denman Chase at Newbury. If the ground was very soft or testing we would probably wait for Newbury.

“I was really pleased with his run at Kempton and he seems to be growing up – I was very happy with him.

“We’ve been held up – the snow and ice has been quite horrible for us. So last week they had a bit of a quiet week, however we will get quite a bit of work into him this week and see how he gets on.”

She went on: “I will speak to the owners and see what they are thinking, but I think they would like to give him a bit more experience around Cheltenham which I think is a fair statement.

“The Gold Cup is still the dream and I’m really looking forward to seeing him run again. I think he’s on the up again now and we’ve always thought he was a really good horse.”

Gold Cup second favourite and Grand National hero Noble Yeats could line-up for Emmet Mullins, while Protektorat is the shortest priced British-trained candidate for the blue ribband and this has always been the plan for Dan Skelton’s Betfair Chase winner.

Harry Skelton celebrates winning the Betfair Chase with Protektorat at Haydock
Harry Skelton celebrates winning the Betfair Chase with Protektorat at Haydock (Nigel French/PA)

Nicky Henderson has won this twice in the last three years and could rely on Dusart – although the eight-year-old also has the option of Doncaster’s Sky Bet Chase, while Frodon won this contest in 2019 and could line-up having missed out on an intended target at Taunton.

Cape Gentleman is an interesting raider from Ireland while Cool Cody (Evan Williams), Sounds Russian (Ruth Jefferson), Sam Brown (Anthony Honeyball) and Happygolucky (Kim Bailey) complete the list of entries.

Stat of the Day, 16th March 2020

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Saturday's pick was...

4.00 Fontwell : Jimmy @ 3/1 BOG PU at 7/4 (Chased leaders on inside, switched outside before 4th, reminders and not travel well after next, reluctant and dropped out quickly after 9th, soon pulled up)

Monday's pick runs in the...

3.40 Kelso :

Before I post the daily selection, just a quick reminder of how I operate the service. Generally, I'll identify and share the selection between 8.00am and 8.15am and I then add a more detailed write-up later within an hour or so of going "live".

Those happy to take the early price on trust can do so, whilst some might prefer to wait for my reasoning. As I fit the early service in around my family life, I can't give an exact timing on the posts, so I suggest you follow us on Twitter and/or Facebook for instant notifications of a published pick.

Who?

Calle Malva @ 4/1 BOG

...in a 7-runner, Class 4, Mares Novices Handicap Hurdle for 4yo+ over 2m6½f on heavy ground worth £4,289 to the winner...

Why?...

This 5 yr old mare has won one of her four starts to date, another Class 4 hurdle on heavy ground at relatively nearby Hexham, so conditions won't be too unfamiliar today. That win is the only win recorded by any of the runners in this contest, as her six rivals have only mustered a combined 4 places from 21 runs to date.

Regular jockey Blair Campbell  is the saddle again today, once more hoping to use his 3lb claim effectively enough to land another Kelso winner for trainer Lucinda Russell, who is 30 from 117 (25.6% SR) for 60.5pts (+51.7% ROI) with horses sent off in the Evens to 8/1 price bracket in handicaps at this venue since the start of 2015. These include of relevance today...

  • 28/103 (27.2%) for 67.1pts (+65.1%) at Classes 3 & 4
  • 18/74 (24.3%) for 46.7pts (+63.2%) with horses unplaced last time out
  • 18/74 (24.3%) for 33.6pts (+45.3%) at Class 4
  • 18/56 (32.1%) for 54.7pts (+97.6%) in fields of 6-8 runners
  • 14/43 (32.6%) for 29.9pts (+69.5%) during March to May
  • 13/45 (28.9%) for 46.1pts (+102.4%) with a jockey claiming 3-6lbs
  • 12/36 (33.3%) for 41.3pts (+114.6%) over hurdles
  • 9/31 (29%) for 9.6pts (+31%) on heavy ground
  • 8/18 (44.4%) for 19.9pts (+110.8%) in March
  • 7/20 (35%) for 17.7pts (+88.5%) with Blair Campbell in the saddle
  • and 7/16 (43.75%) for 31pts (+193.9%) with female runners...

...whilst risking diluting the data too far...those unplaced LTO and now running at Class 3/4 in fields of 4-7 in March are 5 from 9 (55.6% SR) for 15.66pts (+174% ROI) profit...

...giving us...a 1pt win bet on Calle Malva @ 4/1 BOG as was available from Bet365, BetVictor & Hills at 8.00am Monday with plenty of 7/2 BOG elsewhere, but as always please check your BOG status. To see what your preferred bookie is quoting...

...click here for the betting on the 3.40 Kelso

Don't forget, we offer a full interactive racecard service every day!

REMINDER: THERE IS NO STAT OF THE DAY ON SUNDAYS

Here is today's racecard

P.S. all P/L returns quoted in the stats above are to Betfair SP, as I NEVER bet to ISP and neither should you. I always use BOG bookies for SotD, wherever possible, but I use BFSP for the stats as it is the nearest approximation I can give, so I actually expect to beat the returns I use to support my picks. If that's unclear, please ask!