Work rider Erin has One for Arthur ready
Milnathort-trained horse goes for glory at Aintree
There will be more than a few nerves kicking in when One for Arthur begins his quest for Grand National glory.
And one woman from Abernethy, especially, will be peering at the television screen from behind her sofa.
Erin Walker has proudly taken on the role as Arthur’s work rider - the main role being to exercise the horse on a daily basis - as the Lucinda Russell trained talent prepares for the world’s greatest steeplechase.
It’s been a memorable experience for the 37-year-old. But the work behind the scenes for this Aintree date is now over. Arthur is primed for his date with destiny.
“I’ve been working with Arthur only this season and I’m very lucky that I’ve fallen in to getting him,” Erin told the Perthshire Advertiser this week.
“Arthur is just fabulous. He is a big, tall gentleman with a sense of humour too. He likes a little bit of a spook at things.
“If he’s feeling fresh he might have the odd buck but that’s nothing serious. He is a lovely, lovely horse to work with.
“We held a press day last week and there is a picture of his two owners giving him a kiss - and Arthur is pushing his head in as well.
“Even when there is not a horse you know racing, there are a few nerves watching the national. I think I’ll be in a room on my own to watch it.
Erin Walker takes One for Arthur for a stroll in the build up to the Grand National It’s emotional watching a horse “But we are quietly confident turning in for home, he has a you’ve been working with. about Arthur’s chances. Arthur great chance.
“I’ve been lucky that Lucinda has proved he can jump these “Soft ground would be ideal has been given some really nice fences. He’s had a run at the but he’s won on good ground horses. I used to ride Silver by Becher chase at Aintree - which before. He came from way back Nature, who ran in the national is a circuit shorter - but the extra at Warwick and as the miles a few years ago. He was a lovely circuit is going to suit him. clocked up the others started to big horse.” “He’s proved he can do that drop off. He jumped the last like
Eight-year-old One for distance by winning the Classic a fresh horse.” Arthur, whose training schedule Chase at Warwick. He needs Erin’s passion for horses has has seen him glide across the luck, it’s what all the horses kept her involved since she was a rolling fields of Kinross, enters need. child and, to that end, becoming the national as one of the “If the ground goes good a work rider was the perfect fit favourites priced at 14/1 with he will likely go into the first for her. the bookmakers. and second fences at the back But the reins have now been
“It’s really exciting and we somewhere. He takes a while to fully handed over to jockey just want him home safe,” get into his stride. Derek Fox - who has been out said Erin, who has worked at “But come the three-mile of action since fracturing his Russell’s Arlary House Stables marker he will be motoring. If wrist and damaging a collarbone in Milnathort for almost 10 years. he is on his feet when they are on March 9 - for Saturday afternoon’s run.
“On a beautiful day being a work rider is like a paid hobby,” Erin explained. “But in the winter when the blizzards are coming in sideways it’s perhaps not as glamorous. You take the good with the bad.
“I’ve been doing it for long enough now so I would hope I was pretty accomplished out on the horse. Riding a racehorse is very different to riding your average horse. They don’t ride the same.
“It all comes down to experience and a lot of confidence. You couldn’t not have confidence because the horses can pick up on that.
“On a usual day I go in and get all the tack organised, tack Arthur up, ride him out and back and then get him all washed down.
“Arthur’s jockey Derek came back on Saturday and rode him. And he’s ridden him this week to keep him fresh. He had a pop over a makeshift national fence and he jumped great.
“It’s a fabulous yard to be part of and Lucinda is a great boss. It’s a great team and I’m probably one of the older ones now!
“The whole yard works as a team and everyone wants each other to succeed. I’ll keep doing this as long as I can. I just adore the horses.”
Erin concluded: “You want the horse around safely. But to win this race it would be immense for the yard. I guess I could say I played some part in that.”
The Grand National is scheduled to begin at 5.15pm on Saturday.