An Aintree slog could be one for Arthur, says Scu

RACEMAIL’S Sam Turner landed his 14-1 nap when One For Arthur scored on Saturday.

ONE FOR ARTHUR could be heading to the Grand National on April 8, but only if the Aintree going favours strong stayers.

The eight-year-old, trained by Lucinda Russell in Scotland, landed the Betfred Classic Chase at Warwick on Saturday, staying on strongly after being well off the pace under jockey Derek Fox in the early stages.

The six-length victory should see One For Arthur’s handicap mark rise sufficiently to ensure he makes the National field.

But eight- time champion jockey Peter Scudamore (below), Russell’s partner and assistant, said it would be pointless taking the gelding to Aintree if the ground was too quick.

He added: ‘It wasn’t the plan to be so far back. We wanted to be handy but One For Arthur was outpaced. He looks like he’d stay four miles plus but if the conditions were wrong at Aintree you’d be worried he would get too far behind. We’ve always had hopes for him but he did slightly surprise us on Saturday.’ William Hill make One For Arthur a 33-1 shot for the Grand National. He has experience of the Aintree fences having finished fifth to Vieux Lion Rouge in the Becher Chase in December, when he again got well behind after being hampered by a faller. Scudamore said: ‘He got frightened in the Becher and then took two or three fences to get going but he then ran really well.’

Meanwhile, champion trainer Paul Nicholls is the latest figure to voice concern about Jockey Club plans to close Kempton, home of the King George VI Chase.

Nicholls, who has won the big race a record nine times, five of them with Kauto Star, added that if the worst happens, the King George should be moved to Ascot, not Sandown as is proposed.

Nicholls, writing in his Betfair blog, said: ‘Ascot is a much more suitable venue. It is an outstanding jumps track with excellent facilities and the necessary infrastructure to accommodate a large crowd.’