SENOR IS THE MAIN MAN FOR RUSSELL
IT WAS a victory for the big horse and little guys after Ahoy Senor gave his rivals a thumping in the Betway Mildmay Novices’ Chase at Aintree yesterday.
Ahoy Senor, who has the physique of the burly police horses on duty at Aintree on Ladies’ Day, for once jumped with fluency in the hands of Derek Fox when proving too strong Fury Road.
Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase winner L’Homme Presse trailed in third and Bravemansgame was a very disappointing last of the four runners.
“I love Aintree, always have done,” said winning trainer Lucinda Russell, successful in the 2017 National with One For Arthur.
“It’s magic. When I drove in yesterday, I can’t help it, you feel the spirits of everyone past and present.”
Russell, the partner of former champion jump jockey Peter Scudamore, who has only 50 horses in her care, was lavish in her praise for Fox.
She said: “He’s already planned out this horse’s career – you can guess but it will end up with the Gold Cup. I hope so anyway.
“God willing that he is fine after today. It’s the dream again.”
Ahoy Senor is now 12-1 from 20-1 with Ladbrokes for the Gold Cup.
Paul Nicholls, responsible for Bravemansgame, defend the horse that he believes is the next Denman.
He said: “Some of ours have been disappointing in the spring. Some have run well, and some haven’t and that wasn’t his true form.”
No sooner had the champion trainer made those remarks than he was successful when Harry Cobden partnered Gelino Bellino to victory in the Cavani Sefton Hurdle.
Peter Bowen continued his domination in the Randox Topham Chase when Mac Tottie, partnered by his son Sean, gave him a fifth victory in the race.
Bowen, who took the prize in in three successive years with Always Waining from 2010-2012, credits his success with the schooling work done over National-style fences at home.
“It helps them jump really well,” said the trainer. “Mac Tottie had a really good session over them earlier this week.
“It helps any horse for any race over the
National fences.
It’s great.”