Relief for connections as One For Arthur reported okay but National bid in doubt

One For Arthur seems none the worse for having been pulled up with a fibrillating heart at Haydock on Saturday, but a decision on whether he bids to repeat his 2017 win in the Randox Health Grand National on April 4 will be left until later in the week.

The 11-year-old ate up when he returned home on Saturday evening and enjoyed a roll in the mud on Sunday morning, to the relief of all who had concerns for him when he ran an uncharacteristically lifeless race and was soon struggling in the Unibet Grand National Trial.

Trainer Lucinda Russell reported: "He's fine and his heart is back to its normal rhythm, which is great. We're still going to get the vets to check him, but I'm just so relieved.

"I hated the way he was running and I was so worried about him, thinking maybe he was just fed up or something. It was so unlike him, so it's a great relief to find a reason for it."

Fibrillating hearts are not uncommon in the thoroughbred world, and Russell has had experience of them before.

One For Arthur: winner of the Grand National in 2017Credit: Mark Cranham

She said: "Sprinter Sacre had the same thing, and we've had it here too with Big River [Kelso winner last month] and others. Horses get over it, and it's not a long-term issue like doing a tendon or something like that.

"Once they are out of fibrillation they aren't at any greater risk of going back into it, and, although we haven't had his heart fully scanned yet, it's regular again."

A quiet week while connections take stock will not compromise One For Arthur's Aintree preparation. However, owners Belinda McClung and Deborah Thomson, who race as Two Golf Widows, are in no rush to make a decision about his future.

Watch One For Arthur battle to an emotional Grand National triumph

Russell said: "I've spoken to the girls and, although Arthur's heart seems back to normal, we'll of course still get it checked thoroughly and scanned and so on.

"The girls are very aware of the responsibilities that owners of Grand National winners have and I think we're going to have a sit down later in the week when we have all the information. We need to make a responsible decision.

"Whatever happens, he was due an easy week anyway. In the meantime he's happily rolling in the mud and eating carrots, unaware of the sleepless night he's given us all."

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