HeroRussell isOneofthe elitetrainers
PROUD Peter Scudamore believes Lucinda Russell has proved herself among racing’s elite trainers after One for Arthur handed Grand National glory to Scotland.
The eight-times champion jockey is
partner and assistant to the Perthshire handler, who became Queen of Aintree at the weekend when her 14/1 shot landed a first Tartan success in 38 years and only a second in history.
Russell and the entire team at Milnathort paraded their hero yesterday after returning from Liverpool and Scudamore was in no doubt about the significance of the achievement.
He said: “We’re a Scottish yard training in Great Britain. We’re as good as Willie Mullins, or Gordon Elliott. We proved it. As good as Nicky Henderson and Paul Nicholls. We’ve shown it.
“It’s proven to us we’re good enough, that’s what counts for me and not that we’re from a little part of Scotland and away isolated as that’s just not the case. The transport infrastructure is so much better. I get down to Haydock in the same time as the West Country boys get there.
“It’s British racing and we’re as good as anyone. A second Scottish winner means so much to the people.
“I’m very proud of what we do up here in Scotland, proud of the owners we have and who invest their money.
“It’s been proven at the highest level that we can train the winners.”