Arthur is one for the Grand National once again after encouraging Aintree effort

The 2017 Grand National winner One For Arthur delighted trainer Lucinda Russell on his latest return to Aintree and will have no more than two runs before his third crack at the race in April.

The ten-year-old, who missed the whole season with a tendon injury after his National triumph in 2017, finished sixth behind Tiger Roll last spring after a less than ideal preparation.

Russell was encouraged with the way he kept on for fifth place in the 3m2f Becher Chase at Aintree on Saturday and said: "I was really pleased with him.

"I was a bit worried he might think, 'I'm back at Aintree, it's another test', but he was fine and I loved the way he used himself, he jumped well. He'll always find more and the galloping bit doesn't worry me.

"He gets outpaced but he stayed on so well, he was maybe eighth coming up to the Elbow and he finished fifth. He's still got the fire in his belly and that was a minimum trip for him – an extra mile might help!"

Watch One For Arthur in the Becher Chase

One For Arthur won the Classic Chase at Warwick on his way to National success, and that contest could be on his agenda again this time.

"We're going to talk about what we're going to do, it's very unlikely he'll go straight to the National," said Russell. "He could have one or two runs – he may go to Kelso for the Listed chase in March and he could head to Warwick for the Classic Chase in January."

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