'He was like a kid at a party' - Lucinda Russell assesses Ahoy Senor's return

Lucinda Russell believes Ahoy Senor was simply too enthusiastic when running below par on his return in the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby on Saturday.

Last season’s Betway Mildmay Novices’ Chase scorer was backed into 11-10 favourite on the day, having been a 15-8 shot on Friday, but raced freely, jumped occasionally right and trailed in last of the five runners.

Ahoy Senor, a dual Grade 1 winner, was beaten 40 lengths by Bravemansgame, who he has defeated at Aintree’s Grand National meeting in the past two seasons.

The seven-year-old is entered in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury on November 26 and is a general 14-1 shot but he is more likely to head to Aintree for the BoyleSports Best Odds Guaranteed Day Before Many Clouds Chase on December 3 – a race won by Cheltenham Gold Cup third Protektorat last season.

Russell said on Sunday: “He's fine and sound. We checked him when we got back last night and there were no signs of bleeding or anything like that.

Lucinda Russell on Ahoy Senor: 'It wasn't an ideal race but he'll be better for it'Credit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

“He was just too enthusiastic – he was like a kid at a party. He unseated Derek [Fox] on his first start last season when he was beaten and maybe he just needs to run to get going.

“It wasn't an ideal race but he'll be better for it. He's in the Coral Gold Cup and we'll see, but he's more likely to go to Aintree for the Many Clouds Chase.”

Ahoy Senor unseated his rider on his reappearance last season in the Colin Parker Memorial Intermediate Chase at Carlisle, in which stablemate Corach Rambler finished fifth on his return on Sunday as a stepping stone to the Coral Gold Cup.

Following his Wetherby run, Ahoy Senor, who finished second to L’Homme Presse in last season’s Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase, was pushed out to 25-1 (from 8) for the Cheltenham Gold Cup with Betfair Sportsbook and Paddy Power.

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