Coach Lucinda Russell is worked up to launch Ahoy Senor onto the large stage on the Cheltenham Competition, the place she hopes to determine himself as a real ‘champion’.
The seven-year-old began the season as one of many brightest prospects within the rookie-chasing division after touchdown at Sefton Novices’ first division race at Aintree final yr by 66/1.
After a tough begin in life over the fences when he was defeated at Carlisle, Ahoy Senor bounced again with a surprising victory at Newbury, incomes a shot at chasing the Novice Star first-class rookies in Kempton on Boxing Day.
He was firmly put in place by Bravemansgame Paul Nichols on that event, however Russell stays optimistic because the pair prepares to face off once more within the rookie chase Brown Consulting subsequent week.
“The coaches all the time attempt to make excuses when their horses get hit and my excuses can be the steep monitor and it most likely would not look nearly as good as it’s now,” Russell advised Sky Sports activities Racing.
“I’ve each motive to imagine he’ll keep and I believe Cheltenham will play extra aggressively than Kimton did.
“We’re very pleased with him. He labored yesterday and took off to the highest of the dash, and he discovered life very straightforward as regular. It has solely been per week to have him correct and able to go racing.
“He appears to have improved a bit bit all season, we are able to proceed that enchancment and he is about to boil over in time.”
Bravemansgame lastly jumps in Kempton away from Ahoy Senor
Ahoy Senor warmed up for his gala with a second win over the largest hurdles within the second-tier firm at Totton in Weatherby, however that win wasn’t sufficient to persuade the teammates to participate on this yr’s Gold Cup.
“We put him within the Gold Cup after Newbury however now we have to recollect he is nonetheless a rookie and that actually stood out at Kempton,” Russell mentioned.
“He has improved at Weatherby however I do not suppose the Gold Cup has been for him this yr.
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Prime coaches Nicky Henderson, Dan Skelton, Gordon Elliott, Henry de Broomhead, Willie Mullins and Paul Nichols select their ‘darkish horse’ for Cheltenham Competition
“We thought of dropping Cheltenham and going straight to Aintree however Cheltenham is the place for champions and we predict he’s a champion. We’ve to let him take this chance and show himself.
“I am as nervous because it actually is, it means rather a lot to us. That is the place we need to be and what the world has to do. It is essential for us to compete at this stage.”
Ascot’s mistake may very well be a blessing in disguise for Rambler
Kurash Rambler was a fantastic winner at Cheltenham earlier this season
Russell might be heading to Cheltenham with two robust possibilities this yr, as fellow rookie Korash Rambler joins Ahoy Senor on the pick-up from Scotland.
The eight-year-old gained two of his 5 video games this season – at Cheltenham and Aintree – earlier than ending fourth on the Traditional Chase in Warwick and knocking out rider Derek Fox when he challenged second-tier Reynoldstown at Ascot for the final time. .
“He is solely a rookie however he has improved with each sport and gained a spherical towards Cheltenham,” mentioned Russell.
“It’ll be a troublesome race for him however possibly he is nonetheless upgrading.”
On Ascott’s disappointment, Russell added: “On the day we had been so devastated we felt it was going to be first or second, however then I walked away and thought if he had been put in place, he’d gotten crippled and possibly that is his likelihood.
“He was nonetheless going nicely at Ascot and I believe Cheltenham Hill actually fits him.”
